Functional Neurology, Mastering Brain Chemistry and Health

Functional neurology views the brain and nervous system as a moldable, changeable entity that can be affected in its function through various stimulation pathways. This concept of the brain being able to change its function throughout life via environmental stimulation is termed ‘neuroplasticity’ and it is a large determining factor as to how we are able to help patients in our office. Concepts from Quantum Neurology rehabilitation, Applied Kinesiology, chiropractic, specific dietary modifications, anti-inflammatory diets, specific nutritional and herbal supplementation and exercise all play a role within functional neurology, and how patients respond to care.

This weekend, I attended a 3-day course called, “Mastering Brain Chemistry,” presented by Dr. Brandon Brock. The main purpose of the course was to help physicians to be able to identify potential triggers, or problems, that patients might present with that would indicate that their nervous system was being affected, and that through a thorough history, exam, laboratory tests, and other assessments, the physician would be able to begin the process of functional neurology rehabilitation. It was a great class, and I learned a lot, even though it was the third time I have sat through it.

The brain and nervous system are complex structures in our body. There is a pretty good understanding in neurology that even though we think we know a lot about these tissues, there is still a lot that we do not know, and many complicating factors as to how the brain can become inflamed and symptomatic. Most of the time when people think of brain and neurology problems, we immediately jump to conditions such as concussion, stroke, and dementia. While these are certainly associated with the brain and nervous system, they do not give us the whole story on neurological function. This seminar attempted to present the current research that shows that inflammation of the brain and nervous system is linked to a wide variety of conditions, presentations, illnesses, and diseases. Additionally, there are a lot of things that go on throughout our body, and from our environment that affect brain function, which can in turn, alter other symptoms in the body.

Twenty-two hours of presentations, crammed into 3 days, over 935 powerpoint slides, and a reference manual of nearly 530 pages of functional neurology, brain chemistry, and health related conditions was a lot to take in. Below are some of the things I found interesting from my notes:

• By 2013, the annual cost to treat Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to be more than $12,000,000,000
• The largest computer system in the world can process .01% of what the human brain can process.
• “The brain controls everything, but everything controls the brain.” (ie. sleep, movement, diet, toxins, metals, lotions, chemicals, infections, etc all have an affect on how the brain works)
• “95% of MRIs are inconclusive for pathology.. it is all physiology!” (ie. how is your brain being influenced through its chemistry if everything on MRI is “normal”)
• Blood sugar regulation, and not being anemic are two of the most important ways to protect your brain.
• Blood sugar regulation is more than not being diabetic. Hemoglobin A1c should be less than 5.7
• Anemic conditions are frequently missed due to only looking at the “serum iron” marker. Using more specific tests for anemic conditions is better for the patient. (ie. for iron deficiency, check ferritin. B12 deficiency look at methylmalonic acid, etc.)
• Homocysteine levels are another indication for inflammation in the nervous system.
• Homocysteine levels are considered “normal” when under 15, but “If you have a homocystein over 15 you are in freaking trouble.”
• Homocysteine levels should be close to Hemoglobin A1c levels for optimal brain function.
• “The cornerstone of every neurodegenerative disease process is mitochondrial failure.”
• “A bowel movement a day keeps Parkinson’s away.”
• 80% of your immune system is in your gut.
• If you have a bad liver, you have a bad brain and bad mitochondria.
• Organic acid tests are best way to evaluate mitochondria function.
• If you have celiac disease or GAD 65 antibodies, you have a 500% increase for anxiety
• Not having hunger in the morning is a sign of hypoglycemia
• Depression – high dose methyl B vitamins, and high dose EFAs
• “The person with the worst gut loses the game of brain function.”
• “If you are a brain doctor and you are not evaluating GI function from a functional medicine perspective you are crazy.”
• “Depression is an inflammatory disease.”
• Progesterone _immediately_ after a head injury will slow down excitotoxicity.
• Dark chocolate covered coffee beans can be a good replacement for ADD meds

The brain and nervous system are the most important structures we have in our body. We can amputate limbs if needed, put in electronic devices to help the heart, place shunts and tubing to divert blood flow, but we cannot replace our brain. Through functional neurology, managing optimal physiology through anti-inflammatory diets, physical activity, and specific nervous system strengthening exercises, we can truly take control of our symptoms and our health.