Hypothalamic digoxin, hemispheric chemical dominance, and creativity

Kurup & Kurup (2003) studied on hypothalamic diigoxin, hemispheric chemical dominance and creativity. They said that the human hypothalamus produces an endogenous membrane Na+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, digoxin, which regulates neuronal transmission. The digoxin status and neurotransmitter patterns were studied in creative and non-creative individuals. The activity of HMG CoA reductase and serum levels of digoxin, magnesium, tryptophan catabolites, and tyrosine catabolites were measured in creative/ non-creative Ss, and in Ss with differing hemispheric dominance ( to determine the role of cerebral dominance). In creative individuals there was increased digoxin synthesis, decreased membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity, increased tryptophan catabolites ( serotonin, quinolinic acid, and nicotine), and decreased tyrosine catabolites (dopamine, noradrenaline, and morphine). The pattern in creative Ss correlated with right hemispheric dominance. In non-creative Ss there was decreased digoxin synthesis, increased membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity, decreased tryptophan catabolites ( serotonin, quinolinic acid, and nicotine), and increased tyrosine catabolites (dopamine, noradrenaline, and morphine). This pattern in non-creative individuals correlated with that obtained in left hemispheric chemical dominance. Hemispheric chemical dominance and hypothalamic digoxin could regulate the predisposition to creative tendency.

Kurup, Ravi Kumar & Kurup, Parameswara Achutha. (2003). Hypothalamic digoxin, hemispheric chemical dominance, and creativity. International Journal of Neuroscience. Vol 113 (4): 565-577