Dopamine, demons or divination? The dichotomy of science and religion in traditional societies

The presentation and interpretation of mental disorders [in] the Caribbean region is often considered to be the effect of divine interventions, demonical possession, drug abuse or defects in dopamine synthesis. Common occurrences are families, friends and priests advising the diseased person to seek help in one or all of these modalities. Thus, while increasing numbers of mentally ill persons seek treatment from western trained psychiatrists, they likewise cover all the other bases of traditional, folk and spiritual treatments. This results in a medley of healing processes which are in conflict with each other since empirical scientific findings are not in keeping with religious-driven values, which purports an ontological claim to human existence. The dichotomous relationship between science (authoritative facts) and religion (ethics and values) has caused an epistemological divide, with the consequences of reductionism, in both areas. Disturbed persons, their families and caregivers are engaged in a prolonged and expensive journey with traditional healers, priests and doctors who complicate the curative process. These practices undermine the principle of western scientific medicine, while at the same time attributing credence to magic and supernaturalism, thereby reinforcing the behavior of the patient adding mysticism to the folk practitioner.

Interaction of dopamine agonists with disrupted mesolimbic pathways implications for mental health

This work was designed to evaluate, in conjunction with certain dopamine agonists, the effects of disruption of the mesolimbic system on spontaneous motor activity and stereotype. The results indicated that lesions to the nucleus accumbens produced increments in motor activity that were exacerbated by amphetamine (5.0 mg/kg). Administration of apomorphine (1.0 mg.kg) produced similar results but was not as effective as amphetamine in inducing motor dysfunction. The relevance of these findings to psychopathology and motor disorders is discussed, with implications for public health policy (AU)