Author: Geier DA, Pretorius HT, Richards NM, Geier MR.
Source: Med Sci Monit.
Year: 2012
Comment:
This study concludes, "The techniques employed revealed a quantitative, significant relationship between increasing Hg body-burden and increasing brain dysfunction in a cohort of patients diagnosed with neurological disorders."
Abstract / Excerpt:
“BACKGROUND:
Toxic metal exposure (e.g. Hg, Pb, As) exposure is known to induce significant adverse effects on human brain function. The aim this study was to assess toxic metal body-burden in relation to potential brain dysfunction in patients diagnosed with neurological disorders (NDs).
MATERIAL/METHODS:
The Liberty Institutional Review Board (Deland, FL) approved the present study. Quantitative, fractionated, random urinary porphyrin testing (µg/L) from the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act/Amendment (CLIA)-approved Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) and cortical perfusion index (CPi) values from single-photon-emission-computed-tomography (SPECT) brain scans were employed to evaluate a prospective cohort of qualifying patients with diagnosed NDs (n=52) presenting for medical care at an endocrinology practice in the Cincinnati, OH area.
RESULTS:
Patients with more severe in comparison to mild brain dysfunction had significant increases in the mean urinary concentration of uroporphyrins (uP), coproporphyrins I (cP I), and total cP (cP I + III), as well as a trend towards significantly increased mean urinary concentration of pentacarboxyporphyins (5cxP) and cP III. A significant positive correlation between Hg body-burden associated porphyrins (5cxP + cP I + cP III) and increased brain dysfunction was observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
The present study associated brain dysfunction with Hg body-burden in a cohort of patients diagnosed with NDs, but the contributions of other heavy metals or genetic factors cannot be ruled-out. Additional studies should be conducted to evaluate the consistency of the present findings with examinations of other populations.”
Citation:
Geier DA, Pretorius HT, Richards NM, Geier MR. A quantitative evaluation of brain dysfunction and body-burden of toxic metals. Med Sci Monit. 2012; 18(7):CR425-31.