Treatments for Brain hypoperfusion, Brain Lesions, Neuroinflammation, Excess NMDA activity and other Neurological abnormalities

 

Important Note
If tests show that you suffer from any of these abnormalities / dysfunctions, you can view the treatment options available and discuss them with your own medical doctor or consultant. These treatments can only be undertaken with the permission and supervision of your own medical doctor

 

  • Go to a Neurologist and use the services of a Neurologist. A Neurologist has special expertise in this area and should be able to advise on a course of treatment and lifestyle changes. The Neurologist will also need to liase with your medical doctor. Both should be informed about and supervise all your treatments.
    The book Reviving The Broken Marionette: Treatments For Cfs/Me And Fibromyalgia by Maija Haavisto, has some very good advice about medical drug treatments for the many abnormalities and dysfunctions found in ME patients.

 

Stimulate GABA and Reduce NMDA in the Brain

  • Memantine, a medical drug has powerful anti-NMDA qualities

  • Dr. Paul Cheney. Modulating GABA levels to facilitate the healing of the brain and nervous system
    Redox treatment. "No one should take drugs if they do not need them for medical reasons and Klonopin is no different but a low energy state with low cardiac output such as CFS will devastate sleep and loss of redox control kills brain cells and Klonopin is strongly indicated in this circumstance, in my opinion, with 30 years of observing Klonopin use in CFS patients. Klonopin along with high dose, injectable hydroxyB-12 (30-60 mg per day) and low dose injectable Magnesium (0.1 cc) with Taurine (0.1 cc) and perhaps Inosine in some patients with serum Uric Acids below 6.0 have been a staple for treating CFS for decades. There is a reason for this success and all these drugs or supplements powerfully affect the redox state whose instability and poor buffering is the core of CFS and a major threat to brain cells, especially from CNS hypo-perfusion due to low cardiac output which is itself due to mitochondrial deficiency as published for CFS by Hollingsworth et al, Shungu et al, Nicholson et al and McLaren-Howard et al." Dr. Paul Cheney, Cheney Clinic, USA.

    Excess NMDA activity and deficiency of GABA activity. Dr. Paul Cheney has successfully treated hundreds of CFS patients in the USA and runs The Cheney Clinic in the USA. Dr. Paul Cheney recommends shifting the brain from excess NMDA activity to GABA activity. GABA facilitates deep sleep and a healing state. Medical research shows that certain neurotransmitters are involved in sleep - GABA, Serotonin and Melatonin. CFS patients have been found to be deficient in one or two of these neurotransmitters. Medical treatment of this problem involves increasing the activity of these neurotransmitters in the brain. A medical doctor should closely supervise sleep or neurotransmitter therapy. The following increase GABA activity in the brain.
- Klonopin (Day and Night) [Klonopin is a benzodiazepine (the same class of drugs as Valium) used to prevent seizures in children.]
- GABA (500 mg.-1500 mg./Night)
- Valerian Root (Night) [an herb traditionally used to improve sleep]
- Magnesium 500mg twice a day
- Injectable Magnesium
- Scutellaria baicalensis (chinese skullcap) can increase GABA levels and protect the brain and nervous system.
- Uncaria rhynchophylla increases GABA and reduces NMDA. Powerful protective effect on brain and nervous system.
- Dr. Cheney uses Neurontin (gabapentin) in resistant cases to protect the brain, but thinks some doctors are using doses that are too high
Passionflower
Taurine
- Dr. Cheney points out that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the class of anti-depressants including Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil, work by increasing the firing of neurons. He believes these drugs can have bad effects when taken for depression for periods of several years, and they would be even worse for CFS patients.

 

  • Herbs which increase GABA and stop Neuroinflammation, Brain & Nervous System damage
    • Scutellaria baicalensis (chinese skullcap) can increase GABA levels and protects the brain and nervous system.
    • Japanese Knotweed has high levels of resveratrol and has been found to be very protective of the brain and nervous system in infectious illnesses and neurological and immune related illnesses. It also facilitates healing of the brain and nervous system.
    • Uncaria rhynchophylla increases GABA and reduces NMDA. Powerful protective effect on brain and nervous system.
  • Re-designating old medical drugs for CFS Treatment
    CFIDS Association of America has got Biovista ( http://biovista.com ) in the USA to engage in research and data mining of thousands of medical drugs (including some which are currently out of use) and find matches between them and the symptoms, abnormalities and dysfunctions found in ME. They are compiling a list of these medical drugs. Safety guidelines, side effects, clinical reports and general efficacy and other factors will also be taken into account for each medical drug

  • Stress Reduction
    In addition to getting medical treatment for immune system, krebs cycle and methylation cycle dysfunctions, infections and other biological abnormalities and dysfunctions one should also get Stress Reduction treatment as all physical illnesses including Cancer, AIDS, ME, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, autoimmune illness, Cardiac related illnesses, advanced Diabetes, etc. causes great stress for patients. Click here for Stress Reduction treatment


Brain Lesions, Brain Hypoperfusion, Neuroinflammation, and other Neuological abnormalities

  • Herbs which stop Neuroinflammation, Brain & Nervous System damage
    • Scutellaria baicalensis (chinese skullcap) can increase GABA levels and protects the brain and nervous system from inflammation and damage
    • Japanese Knotweed has high levels of resveratrol and has been found to be very protective of the brain and nervous system in infectious illnesses and neurological and immune related illnesses. It also facilitates healing of the brain and nervous system.
    • Chinese Senega root for neural and brain protection and regeneration
    • Uncaria rhynchophylla increases GABA and reduces NMDA. Powerful protective effect on brain and nervous system.
    • Andrographis paniculata stops brain inflammation, and reduces infections in the brain and nervous system. It also helps normalise immune system functions.
    • Kudzu stops inflammation in the brain and nervous system. It is an antioxidant and protects the brain and mitochondria
    • Motherwort stops brain inflammation, and stops oxidative and nitrosative stress injury to the brain and mitochondria.
  • cdp-choline
    Dr. Wurtman in the USA has found that a new product developed at MIT called cdp-choline is very effective in normalising choline levels in the brain. This is important for most ME patients. Click there to view Research listings
  • Galanthamine has been used by Snorrason et al. in Iceland. This was used because of the cholinergic defects which have been shown to occur in patients with M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Guidelines for Doctors John Richardson. Journal: J of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Vol. 10(1) 2002, pp. 65-80.
  • Treatment for high Homocysteine levels - high strength B complex vitamins once or twice a day, TMG, Omega-3 oils, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and N acetyl cysteine. Also vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs and fish containing the above vitamins and oils.
  • Melatonin and Deprenyl
    Behan WM, McDonald M, Darlington LG, Stone TW. Oxidative stress as a mechanism for quinolinic acid-induced hippocampal damage: protection by melatonin and deprenyl. Br J Pharmacol. 1999;128:1754–60.
  • If abnormal serotonin activity diagnosed then treat with 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
    M. Spath, D. Welzel and L. Farber, "Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists Preliminary Results," Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology Supplement, Vol. 113, 2000, 72-77.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids
    • Dr. Basant Puri has found that VegEPA can reduce lesions on the brain and improve brain function and structure in ME patients. Findings outlined in Dr. Puri's book Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a natural way to treat M.E.
    • Puri BK , Holmes J , Hamilton G . Eicosapentaenoic acid-rich essential fatty acid supplementation in chronic fatigue syndrome associated with symptom remission and structural brain changes. Int J Clin Pract. 2004 Mar;58(3):297-9. PMID: 15117099
    • Puri BK . The use of eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2004 Apr;70(4):399-401. PMID: 15041033
    • Maes M, Mihaylova I, Leunis JC: In chronic fatigue syndrome, the decreased levels of omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids are related to lowered serum zinc and defects in T cell activation. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2005, 26:745-751.
    • Chambers D, Bagnall AM, Hempel S, Forbes C (October 2006). "Interventions for the treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an updated systematic review". J R Soc Med 99 (10): 506–20. doi:10.1258/jrsm.99.10.506. PMC 1592057
    • Behan PO, Behan WM, Horrobin D (1990). "Effect of high doses of essential fatty acids on the postviral fatigue syndrome". Acta Neurol. Scand. 82 (3): 209–16. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1990.tb04490.x
    • Gray JB, Martinovic AM. Eicosanoids and essential fatty acid modulation in chronic disease and the chronic fatigue syndrome. Med Hypotheses 1994;43:31-42
    • Kury PG, Ramwell PW, McConnell HM. The effect of prostaglandin E1 and E2 on the human erythrocyte as monitored by spin labels. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1974;56:478-483
    • Werbach MR . Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Apr;5(2):93-108. PMID: 10767667
  • Probiotics and Brain health
    • Lactobacillus acidophilus and probiotics can increase TH1 cytokines, reduce TNF-a, reduce cytokine IL-6, reduces CRP, improve mucousal integrity and intestinal integrity, and improve overall immune system functions. Its also helpful in autoimmunity. New research reveals it can normalise some brain functions and reduce anxiety and stress. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 is particularly good for ME patients.
      Research articles       & Clinical Finding
      - Probiotics and Brain functions listings
      - Research findings concerning probiotics and the brain
      - Groeger D., Mahony L. et al. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 modulates host inflammatory processes beyond the gut. Gut Microbes 4, 4, 1-15. 2013.
      - Sullivan A , Nord CE , Evengård B . Effect of supplement with lactic-acid producing bacteria on fatigue and physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Nutr J. 2009 Jan 26;8:4.
      - Rao AV , Bested AC , Beaulne TM , Katzman MA , Iorio C , Berardi JM , Logan AC . A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of a probiotic in emotional symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Gut Pathog. 2009 Mar 19;1(1):6
      - Research findings concerning Lactobacillus acidophilus and probiotics and the immune system
    • Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 has been found to be very effective.
    • Mutaflor, a probiotic, can restore gut bacteria to normal levels and has been found to be effective in ME patients. It can be purchased at the following:
      - http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Growing_Mutaflor
      - http://mutaflor.ca
    • Udo's choice probiotic supplements
  • Improve BDNF levels
    • take turmeric, green tea and resveratrol
    • take fish oils or omega-3 oils
    • get plenty of sunlight
    • do light exercise
  • Amino acids are critical for brain function and nerve structural integrity. Tyrosine, Phenylalanine and Trytophan have been found to be low in ME patients. Test for amino acids. If levels are low, then use supplements to normalise levels.
  • Oats contain compounds which restore nerve functions and structural integrity. Oat porridge is recommended.
  • Glutathione protects the nerves and brain from oxidative stress injury. This has been confirmed in several studies. Its depletion in ME patients is one of the main reasons for the many dysfunctions and abnormalities found in the illness. One can take Glutathione by injection and / or take Glutathione precursors. Glutathione precursors - undenatured whey protein, Immunocal / ImuPlus, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), selenium, Alpha-lipoic acid, carnitine, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower), sulphur and sulphur rich foods, vitamin c, glutamine, milk thistle, green barley grass, copper, manganese, zinc. Vitamin B-complex AND ensure there is adequate stomach acid and digestive enzymes in your stomach to absorb these vitamins, amino acids, foods and supplements. And test your Methylation cycle, and correct any problems or blocks.
  • Hypoperfusion and Brain circulation
    • Ginkgo Biloba has been found to improve blood circulation in the brain and some cognitive functions.
    • Vinpocetine can improve blood circulation in the brain and some cognitive functions.
    • Micro circulation abnormalities
      Some ME patients have benefitted from Vitamin B12 injections, with does ranging from 4,000 to 6000 mcg per day. This along with omega 3 fatty acids and magnesium resolves the abnormal blood cell structure commonly found in ME patients according to studies by Mukherjee and Simpson
      Simpson LO. Myalgic encephalomyelitis. Letter. J R Soc Med 1991;84:633.
    • Protection of blood vessels from oxidative damage
      • Anthocyanins and foods containing anthocyanins such as blueberries, cherries, blackberries, elderberries, bilberries, chokeberries (highest anthocyanin content), black raspberries. The herb buckwheat also protects blood vessels from oxidative damage.
      • Olive leaf extract / Olive leaf soups have strong antioxidant effects. They are protective of the blood vessels and the blood.
      • Taking antioxidant herbs, vitamins, minerals and supplements in one's diet can protect the blood vessels from oxidative damage over time.
      • Arginine is required for nitric oxide production
        Scientific Research
        Arginine benefits
      • Ginkgo Biloba protects blood vessels and produces nitric oxide
        Scientific Research
        Ginko benefits
    • Omega-3 fatty acids
    • The special Treatment Protocols of Dr. Martin Pall
  • Neural therapy can help remove toxins from the nervous system. Some patients find this beneficial.
  • Vitamin B-complex and Folic acid deficiencies have been found in ME, and adversely affect brain functions. These vitamins are known to be helpful in normalising brain and nerve functions and cognitive function. Some ME patients have benefitted from Vitamin B12 injections, with does ranging from 4,000 to 6000 mcg per day. This along with omega 3 fatty acids and magnesium resolves the abnormal blood cell structure commonly found in ME patients according to studies by Mukherjee and Simpson
    Jacobson W, Saich T, Borysiewicz LK, et al. Serum folate and chronic fatigue syndrome. Neurology 1993;43:2645-2647.
    Lapp CW, Cheney PR. The rationale for using high-dose cobalamin (Vitamin B12). The CFIDS Chronicle Physicians' Forum Fall 1993;19-20. 10.
    Carmel R. Approach to a low vitamin B12 level. JAMA 1994;272:1233
    Regland B, Andersson M, Abrahamsson L, et al. Increased concentrations of homocysteine in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Scand J Rheumatol 1997;26:301-307
    Goodman KI, Salt WB 2nd. Vitamin B12 deficiency. Important new concepts in recognition. Postgrad Med 1990;88:147-150, 153-158
    Grant JE, Veldee MS, Buchwald D. Analysis of dietary intake and selected nutrient concentrations in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Am Diet Assoc 1996;96:383-386. 26.
    Howard JM, Davies S, Hunnisett A. Magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome. Letter. Lancet 1992;340:426.27.
    Forsyth LM, MacDowell-Carneiro AL, Birkmayer GD, et al. The measurement of 5-HIAA urinary concentrations as a predictive marker of efficacy of NADH in chronic fatigue syndrome. Paper presented at the Bi-Annual Research Conference of the American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (AACFS), Cambridge, MA, October 10-11, 1998. 28.
    Forsyth LM, Preuss HG, MacDowell AL, et al. Therapeutic effect of oral NADH on the symptoms of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1999;82:185-191.
    Simpson LO. Myalgic encephalomyelitis. Letter. J R Soc Med 1991;84:633.
    Werbach MR . Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Apr;5(2):93-108. PMID: 10767667
  • Treat Magnesium Deficiency
    • Manuel y Keenoy B, Moorkens G, Vertommen J, Noe M, Neve J, De Leeuw I: Magnesium status and parameters of the oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with chronic fatigue: effects of supplementation with magnesium. J Am Coll Nutr 2000, 19:374-382.
    • Howard JM, Davies S, Hunnisett A. Magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome. Letter. Lancet 1992;340:426.27. .
    • Chambers D, Bagnall AM, Hempel S, Forbes C (October 2006). "Interventions for the treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an updated systematic review". J R Soc Med 99 (10): 506–20. doi:10.1258/jrsm.99.10.506. PMC 1592057
    • Cox IM, Campbell MJ, Dowson D (1991). "Red blood cell magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome". Lancet 337 (8744): 757–60. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(91)91371-Z
    • Grant JE, Veldee MS, Buchwald D. Analysis of dietary intake and selected nutrient concentrations in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Am Diet Assoc 1996;96:383-386
    • Jessop, Carol – reported in the Fibromyalgia Network Newsletter compendium #2, October 1990-January 1992. 53.
    • Moorkens G, Manuel Y, Keenoy B, et al. Magnesium deficit in a sample of the Belgian population presenting with chronic fatigue. Magnes Res 1997;10:329-337.
    • Werbach MR . Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Apr;5(2):93-108. PMID: 10767667
    • Takahashi H , Imai K , Katanuma A , Sugaya T , Hisano K , Motoya S , Aoki S , Sugiyama T , Yachi A . A case of chronic fatigue syndrome who showed a beneficial effect by intravenous administration of magnesium sulphate. Arerugi. 1992 Nov;41(11):1605-10. PMID: 1492795
  • Turmeric and it's active ingredient Curcumin has been found to have some neuro-protective and neuro-regenerative properties.
  • Re-designating old medical drugs for CFS Treatment
    CFIDS Association of America has got Biovista ( http://biovista.com ) in the USA to engage in research and data mining of thousands of medical drugs (including some which are currently out of use) and find matches between them and the symptoms, abnormalities and dysfunctions found in ME. They are compiling a list of these medical drugs. Safety guidelines, side effects, clinical reports and general efficacy and other factors will also be taken into account for each medical drug

  • Stress Reduction
    In addition to getting medical treatment for immune system, krebs cycle and methylation cycle dysfunctions, infections and other biological abnormalities and dysfunctions one should also get Stress Reduction treatment as all physical illnesses including Cancer, AIDS, ME, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, autoimmune illness, Cardiac related illnesses, advanced Diabetes, etc. causes great stress for patients. Click here for Stress Reduction treatment

 

Research articles & Clinical Findings
- some ME clinics use this. See listing of clinics in Diagnosis and Treatments section

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