Brief Answer:
Thank you for your question on collagen and its turnover rate in the brain

Detailed Answer:
I had spent nearly an hour of time on this question that I was all set to send you and then, suddenly everything vanished from the screen......drat it! Oh well, here we go again....

Your question is on collagen formation and degradation in the brain. Since I've already done the indepth research (in the previous hour) and had come up with this beautiful illustrious answer I'm going to now have to give you the skinny version for fear the HCM server somehow will play the same brutal trick on me! LOL.

Actually, one of your previous consultants, Dr. Spaho has already given you an answer to this question though it was a bit subtle and I believe got "lost" in the shuffle of your followup questions.

But here's the bottom line--- after a considerable amount of research and verification I can tell you that normal histology of the brain does not contain any collagen. If the brain is injured as in a stroke, penetrating injury (eg bullet wound, etc.) or if there were a sudden cataclysmic event such as abrupt loss of oxygen to the brain (e.g. heart attack or other cause of respiratory arrest) then, the scarring process of the brain would involve the production of collagen. But that's only under pathological conditions. This is what Dr. Spaho was referring to in his answer but it seems that got glossed over in your follow-up questions and somehow you got the impression that there could be some residual collagen in the brain. However, that's not the case here since you've not indicated any past medical history of significance as far as brain injuries are concerned...only the steroid exposure.

Therefore, such medication exposure at age 14 would not have influenced any alterations in the production of or function of collagen in the brain and from that point of view your concerns as you've voiced them to others and with respect to bodily functions you feel could've been altered at that time would have nothing to do with the brain or its function.

I'd say that's pretty good news, wouldn't you? :)

I hope this answer satisfactorily addresses your question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback?

Also, if there are no other questions or comments, I'd appreciate it greatly if you would CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so this question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary.

Please direct more comments and questions to me in the future at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I would be honored to answer you and continue this discussion.

All the best.

The query has required a total of 104 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.

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