BORON PREPARATIONS IN PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROLOGY: THEIR RISE, FALL AND RENEWED INTEREST
https://doi.org/10.29413/ABS.2018-3.4.13
Abstract
The use of boron preparations (borax and boric acid) in medicine began long before their isolation in pure form. The mineral water of boron-containing sources has been historically used to treat skin diseases, to wash eyes, to disinfect wounds, etc. Also, what is of interest in the context of this article, boron-containing waters were used as calming, anti- anxiety, anticonvulsant and sleep-promoting remedy. In 1777, boric acid was first isolated from the mineral water of a healing spring source in Florence. Historically, first name of this compound was sal sedativum (“soothing salt”). However, the discovery of boron toxicity led to the cessation of its internal use. In recent decades, it has been found that boron is a microelement necessary for many metabolic processes in the body. It affects memory, cognitive functions, anxiety level, sleep, mood, regulates calcium and magnesium exchange, metabolism of vitamin D and sex steroids. It has been shown that some cases of treatment resistance to standard therapy, for example in epilepsy, anxiety and depression, are related to boron deficiency. In this regard, interest in the use of boron preparations in psychiatry and neurology, but in much smaller doses and on new scientific grounds, flared up again.
About the Authors
R. A. Bekker
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Israel
Israel
bulv. Ben-Gurion, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
Programmer, Computer Engineer, Magister of Computer Science, Research Officer at the Laboratory of Autonomous Security Systems (Robotics), Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
tel. +972 8 6122407
Yu. V. Bykov
Stavropol State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
ul. Mira, 310, Stavropol 355017, Russian Federation
anesthesiologist, psychiatrist, addiction medicine specialist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Teaching Assistant at the Department of Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Emergency Care, Department of Pediatrics, Stavropol State Medical University
tel. (652) 71-87-51
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Bekker R.A., Bykov Yu.V. BORON PREPARATIONS IN PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROLOGY: THEIR RISE, FALL AND RENEWED INTEREST. Acta Biomedica Scientifica. 2018;3(4):85-100. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.29413/ABS.2018-3.4.13
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