Treatments for Neurological Dysfunctions and Cognitive Dysfunctions, Mental Fatigue & 'Brain Fog' and Autonomic Nervous System


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

 

Neurological Inflammation

  • 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.
  • If neurological inflammation diagnosed then take anti-inflammatory medications which act on the neurological system (prescribed by doctor or Neurologist). 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.
  • Medical drugs to reduce histamine levels. There are several drugs available. Doxepin elixir (Sinequan) is one drug which can reduce histamine levels in the body, and is recommended by Dr. Cheney.
  • Medical drugs which can normalise the mast cells. There are several drugs available. Ketiotifen is one drug which can normalise mast cell activity and levels in the body. Neuroprotek is a supplement which is very effective.
  • 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.
    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
  • Anti-Inflammatory foods
    • Turmeric and it's active ingredient Curcumin has been found to have some anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective and neuro-regenerative properties.
    • Fish oils
    • Quercetin (found in red apples, tea and onions and supplements). And Quercetin rich foods - Red onions, tea, red apples, red wine
    • Licorice
    • Foods containing Luteolin
    • Cayenne pepper reduces Substance P, a known inflammation agent.

  • Do you eat foods containing high levels of toxins and inflammation agents ?

    • hot dogs
    • sodas and fizzy drinks
    • foods containing MSG
    • foods containing hydrogenated fats
    • foods containing saturated fats
    • mucous forming foods such excessive potatoes, french fries (chips), cookies and sweets
    • diet drinks containing aspartame
    • sausages and cured meats containing nitrosamines
    • chlorine in bathing / swimming water
    • foods containing additives and flavourings with E numbers
    • foods containing toxin residues from the land (arsenic in some rice)
    • flouride in drinking water
    • un-filtered drinking water
    all of these increase toxin load on the body, and inflammation, with adverse effects on the body, in particular the immune system, the DNA, the mitochondria, the endocrine system and the brain and nervous system. Eliminate these foods and drinks from the diet.
  • 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.
    • 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
  • 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.
  • Homeopathy
    • The Homeopathic remedy NEU-regen spag. helps normalise the nervous system and endocrine system.
  • Mitochondria Repair
    Cell wall deficient pathogens and co-infections such as Mycoplasmas, Lyme, Bartonella, Ehirlichia, Babesia, Brucella, Chlamydia, Enteroviruses, Herpes viruses 1-8 which have been found in patients inflict substantial damage to the mitochondria membrane and cell membrane and nerves over time. Mitochondria membrane repair and cell membrane repair
  • Treatment recommended by Dr. Paul Cheney, CFS expert,  USA
    Dr. Paul Cheney says that there are two extreme states that the brain can be in: (i)  Seizure, associated with excess NMDA activity  or  (ii)  Coma , associated with GABA activity. CFS patients tend to be in the seizure state, with excess NMDA activity in the brain preventing a restful sleep. This  explains the disrupted sleep, the irritability,  the problems with lights being too bright, sounds being too loud etc.  This problem can be alleviated by pushing patients towards a coma state at night when they go to sleep. This will facilitate deep healing and recovery from illness. The following are recommended:Klonopin (Clonazepam)  0.5mg to 1 mg  -  take 1 to 2 hours before bedtime  and  Doxepin  - low dosage,  take 1 hour  before bedtime. Dr. Paul Cheney recommends 2 or more 0.5 mg tablets of Klonopin (Clonazepam) at night. 
    Also, very small doses (usually a quarter to a half a tablet) in the morning and mid-afternoon improve cognitive function and energy. Klonopin and Doxepin inhibit NMDA and increase GABA, giving one a deeper and more restful sleep. Also take Magnesium 500mg  before bedtime. The following also stimulate GABA activity in the brain  - Valerian, Taurine, GABA, Kava Kava, Magnesium, Skullcap, Hops and Passionflower. Consult a doctor before taking any of these medications or herbs.

    Stimulate GABA in the brain:
     A medical doctor should closely supervise this sleep or neurotransmitter therapy. Your medical doctor should specify the combination of drugs, supplements and herbs below you should take for sleep purposes.
    - 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
    - Dr. Cheney uses Neurontin (gabapentin) in resistant cases to protect the brain, but thinks some doctors are using doses that are too high
    Kava Kava
    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 CFIDS patients.

 

  • Medical drugs which inhibit glutamate production in the nervous system

Cognitive Dysfunction, Mental Fatigue & 'Brain Fog' Treatments

  • Vyvanse has been found to be very effective according to one scientific trial. (Use of Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in treatment of executive functioning deficits and chronic fatigue syndrome: A double blind, placebo-controlled study.Young JL. Psychiatry Res. 2012 Oct 9. pii: S0165-1781(12)00503-3.)
  • Fezam ( containing Piracetam and Cinarrizine ) are effective in many cases. Improves cognitive functions and reduces mental fatigue.
    - Boiko AN , Batysheva TT , Matvievskaya OV , Manevich TM , Gusev EI . Characteristics of the formation of chronic fatigue syndrome and approaches to its treatment in young patients with focal brain damage. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2007 Mar;37(3):221-8. PMID: 17294097
    - Boiko AN , Batysheva TT , Matvievskaia OV , Manevich TM , Gusev EI . The peculiarities of formation and approaches to the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome in young patients with focal brain damage. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2006;Spec No 3:122-9. PMID: 17172247
  • ADHD medications are effective in some cases of ME / CFS
    • Young JL . Chronic fatigue syndrome: 3 cases and a discussion of the natural history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Postgrad Med. 2013 Jan;125(1):162-8. PMID: 23391682
    • Valdizán Usón JR , Idiazábal Alecha MA . Diagnostic and treatment challenges of chronic fatigue syndrome: role of immediate-release methylphenidate. Expert Rev Neurother. 2008 Jun;8(6):917-27. PMID: 18505357
    • Young JL , Redmond JC . Fibromylagia, chronic fatigue, and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the adult: a case study. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2007;40(1): 118-26. PMID: 17285103
    • Blockmans D , Persoons P , Van Houdenhove B , Bobbaers H . Does methylphenidate reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome? Am J Med. 2006 Feb;119(2): 167.e23-30. PMID: 16443425
    • Olson LG , Ambrogetti A , Sutherland DC . A pilot randomized controlled trial of dexamphetamine in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychosomatics. 2003 Jan- Feb;44(1):38-43. PMID: 12515836
  • Gabapentin (Neurontin) has been found to be effective in some cases. Your medical doctor can advise you on this.
  • Hydergine has been found to be effective in many cases.
  • 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.
  • Mitochondria Repair
    Cell wall deficient pathogens and co-infections such as Mycoplasmas, Lyme, Bartonella, Ehirlichia, Babesia, Brucella, Chlamydia, Enteroviruses, Herpes viruses 1-8 which have been found in patients inflict substantial damage to the mitochondria membrane and cell membrane and joints over time. Mitochondria membrane repair and cell membrane repair
  • Amino acids are critical for brain function. 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. AND ensure there is adequate stomach acid and digestive enzymes in your stomach to absorb these amino acids.
  • 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.
    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
  • Ginkgo, Fish oils and Vitamin B-complex are known to be helpful in improving cognitive function.
  • Lecithin containing phosphatidyl choline and supplements containing phosphatidyl serine can improve the health of neurons and cognitive function
  • Blueberries have been found to improve cognitive function
  • Most ME patients have Hypoglycemia according to Dr. Edward Conley. Test for blood sugar levels. If they are too low, this will adversely affect cognitive function and if they are too high, this will also adversely affect cognitive function. If one of these problems is diagnosed, then get medical assistance, and go to a clinical nutritionist who can advise a diet which stablises and normalises blood sugar.
  • Turrmeric and it's active ingredient Curcumin has been found to have some neuro-regenerative properties. This stimulates the repair and re-growth of nerves and nerve and brain tissues.
  • 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


Autonomic Nervous System

    • Qigong  (Chi Kung) 
      If you are able, do light, gentle exercise such as Qigong  (Chi Kung)  and Tai Chi every day. They consist of very gentle, slow exercises and deep breathing, many of them can be done standing up or sitting down and involve little or no movement. They open up the energy centers and cause healthy energy (chi) to flow throughout the body, rebuilding and restoring health. They are designed to build up your energy levels not to build muscle or get fit. In China, millions of elderly people some in their eighties and nineties can be seen doing these exercises every day. They do not cause pains and aches like other forms of exercise, as they are gentle and slow. Their focus on increasing energy levels makes them excellent for ME. I have attached a good introduction video to chi kung or qi gong exercises. As you will see it involves little or no movement and focuses on building up one's energy. I have also included a link to a book below called 'Chi Kung for health and vitality' by Wong Kiew Kit, which you can buy immediately on Amazon. This book is written by a well known Chinese master in Chi Kung.

      Video: Youtube video - Chi Kung Exercises

      Book: Chi Kung for Health and Vitality: A Practical Approach to the Art of Energy

      Research: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Qigong Exercise on Fatigue Symptoms, Functioning, and Telomerase Activity in Persons with Chronic Fatigue or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Rainbow et al. Annals of Behavioral Medicine , Volume 44, Issue 2, pp 160-170
  • 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
  • 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

 

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

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