Alzheimer's Disease
Dr. Weyrich's Naturopathic Functional Medicine Notebook
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Etiology
The cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown. It is observed that the development of neurofibrillary tangles (plaque) that cause neuronal atrophy in the brain is associated with the onset and progression of the disease.The cause of the plaque formation is unknown. Theories that have been advanced include the following. More than one mechanism may occur:
- Suppression of mitochondrial energy production [DeLaMonte2000], perhaps due to mitochondrial dysfunction secondary to hypothyroidism Anectdotal reports that geriatric patients treated for hypothroidism had much lower incidence or Alzheimer's support this mechanism [Starr2005, pg 57].
- Formation of pentosidine links due to toxic arabinose metabolites originating in yeast dysbiosis.
- Autoimmune reaction.
- Lyme disease.
- Aluminum or heavy metal toxicity.
- Inflammatory process mediated by TNF-alpha.
Differential Diagnosis
- Hypothyroid
- DHEA deficiency
- Testosterone deficiency
- Vitamin B12 deficiency [stuart2006].
Treatment
- Treat hypothyroidism if present.
- Treat dysbiosis if present.
- Treat heavy metal toxicity if present.
ICD-9 Codes
| ICD9-Code | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|
References
Unless specifically noted above, references used in the construction of this web page include the following:[FDM] Lecture notes from Functional Medicine University.
[SCNM] Lecture notes from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.
[UT] Lecture notes from the University of Tennessee graduate programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry.
[DeLaMonte2000] Suzanne De La Monte, speaking at The American Acedemy of Anti-Aging Las Vegas, NV (December, 2000). Cited by [Starr2005, pg 56].
[Haley2003] Haley B. The relationship of the toxic effects of mercury to exacerbation of the medical condition classified as Alzheimer's diseases. Nordic J Biological Medicine (2003). Cited by [Starr2005].
[Starr2005] Mark Starr. Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic. Columbia, MO: Mark Starr Trust (2005).
[Stuart2006] J.J. Stuart & S.M. Pacholok. Could it be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses. Sanger, CA: Quill Driver Books/Word Dancer Press (2006).
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This web page is http://www.DrWeyrich.com/disorders/alzheimers.html - Phone Dr. Weyrich at (480) 423-6952