HYPOTHALAMIC DIGOXIN, CEREBRAL DOMINANCE, AND MEMBRANE BIOCHEMISTRY

Abstract

The present study assessed the biochemical differences in membrane composition/function between right hemispheric dominant and left hemispheric dominant individuals. The HMG CoA reductase activity, serum isoprenoid metabolite--digoxin--serum magnesium, and the RBC membrane composition/Na+-K+ ATPase activity were studied. The results showed that right hemispheric dominant individuals had (i) increased HMG CoA reductase activity and elevated digoxin levels, (ii) decreased RBC membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity and serum magnesium levels, and (iii) increased cholesterol:phospholipid ratio of RBC membranes with reduced membrane glycoconjugates. Left hemispheric dominant individuals had the opposite patterns. Right hemispheric dominance represents a hyperdigoxinemic state with membrane sodium-potassium ATPase inhibition. Left hemispheric dominance represents the reverse pattern with hypodigoxinemia and membrane sodium-potassium ATPase stimulation. Cerebral dominance can regulate membrane structure/function.