Be Careful With “Homeostasis.”
Understandably, the term “homeostasis” is appearing frequently in postings here.
Yes, Anavex 2-73 does restore a specific form of homeostasis inside aberrant, poorly functioning neurons.
But specifically, homeostasis is understood by practicing biologists to be, “...the property of a system within an orangism in which a variable, such as the concentration of a substance in solution, is actively regulated to remain very nearly constant.”
Homeostasis requires two things, presence of a variable, something that can change, and a mechanism that regulates, controls, or suppresses such changes.
Classic textbook case is thermal homeostasis, where the body attempts to maintain a core temperature around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). If temperature drops, one is chilled and prompted to put on some more clothes. Shivering heats muscles and tissues. If heated, some clothes come off, and the body sweats, promoting evaporative cooling on the skin. In an infection, the body hikes the homeostatic temperature, bringing on a fever, to reduce optimal microbial growth temperature. Most bacteria and viruses function best at 37 degrees C, are less functional at temps above that. Except when excessive, fevers are normal, healthful body mechanisms working against infectious agents. Thermal homeostasis is varied by the body.
It is not accurate to claim or imply that Anavex 2-73 restores any and all cellular homeostatic processes. There are so many, mostly unaffected by any sigma-1 receptor agonist, natural or synthetic.
There are a multitude of intracellular variables that must be keep relatively constant. Concentrations of ions, sugars, electrolytes, proteins, etc. are maintained. Of course, disease malfunctions occur when concentrations change beyond normality, when molecular or ionic homeostasis is not maintained.
So, how, then can we concisely and more accurately refer to the unique, therapeutic properties of Anavex 2-73, other than a generalized “homeostasis?”
The simplest, most accurate phrase might be, simply, it “restores neuron function.”
Few people have ever heard of, or use the term "homeostasis." "Normal function" is instantly understood by everyone.
Anavex 2-73, a profound new drug that restores neuron function. That covers it rather completely (at least until restoration or fixing of other disease modalities is demonstrated).
All of the Anavex target diseases involve, are caused by, neuron dysfunction. Our drug restores neuron function, simply. Nothing better could happen with these diseases.
