Introduction

Can heavy metal toxins effect your mind? Can they compromise your ability to think, to feel, to plan, and to remember? Could metal overload lead to depression, obsessive-compulsive worry, or unexplained anxiety. Could metal overload be playing a role in neurodegenerative disease states in kids (e.g. Autism and low IQ), in young people (Multiple Sclerosis), and in seniors (Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Disease)?

Several lines of evidence suggest to me that the answer is "yes". While it is biologically foolish to consider a single toxin as "the cause" of a neurological disorder, it is reasonable to consider heavy metal overload in the cascade of events that lead to psychological and neurodegenerative disease states, especially as standard, anatomic-based medicine alone cannot explain their causation. A few facts:

1. Metal toxins irreversibly damage intracellular enzyme systems, compromising function of the cell and function of the organ that contains the damaged cells. We readily accept that metal overload damages the heart and kidney, so why shouldn't it damage the brain?

2. Metal toxins produce free radical stress, which leads to inflammation. Inflammation leads not only to cardiovascular disease, but to brain disease. Neurodegenerative disease states may be an example of the brain on fire.

3. We know that Mercury stunts the growth of developing nerve cells, and adversely affects the metabolism of neurotransmitters, the chemicals released by an upstream neuron to trigger activation of the next neuron in line. Serotonin (the SSRI class of anti-depressants work by blocking the breakdown of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that makes you "feel good"), Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Dopamine, and Acetylcholine are all affected. Other toxic metals may affect other aspects of nervous system function. Basically, heavy metals gum up the nervous system!

4. Epidemiological and pathological associations have been made between the presence of these metals and neurological and even psychological disease states (e.g. - a child with a Lead level at the "upper limit of normal" will have an IQ 7.5 points below that of a child with a level of 0-1).

OK - maybe heavy metals can gum up neurotransmission and damage neurons and play a role in these disease states - neurodegenerative and psychological disease states characterized by damaged neurons that don't work the way they're supposed to. If so, can we help with negative field magnetic therapy and MME? MME is felt to assist in cellular metal detoxification, and to assist MME in assisting the cells under treatment to detoxify, under our IRB-monitored protocol a metal binding agent, DMSA, is given during MME treatment. A negative magnetic field is also felt to improve the function of damaged cells, providing energy for cellular repair, dilating blood vessels to supply more oxygen, and creating an alkaline environment needed for optimal cell function. We also feel that MME stimulates the proliferation of in-situ stem cells (the stem cells within an organ that serve as a reservoir of replacement cells for that specific organ), allowing for the replacement of old, damaged cells, with new, vital cells. So in theory, MME should be of value in psychological and neurological disease states associated with metal overload and damaged nerve cells. The other centers have seen positive results in these disease states (see Outcomes from the other MME Centers). Let's see how we are doing:

59 y/o professor with unexplained fatigue and anxiety
DMPS	24 ug Mercury/gm. creatinine ® amalgams removed
EDTA	Cadmium 5.1, Lead 29, and Nickel 19 ug/24 hours
RBC	Cadmium > 95th percentile at .008 ug/gm, Lead .074, & Mercury .006
2002	4 months NanobacTX ® labs and physical symptoms improved
2004	MME ® psychological symptoms improving

LH is a smart man, but this MIT trained university computer science professor was having trouble, not trouble with his thinking, not trouble with his knowledge, but trouble with an obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder that was complicating his life. LH has been presented earlier on this website (N. sanguineum case study #17 - there we demonstrated a reduction in LH's packed red cell and post-challenge urine Lead and Mercury levels following four months of NanobacTX, which contains the metal binder EDTA). Life in an industrialized society provides us with ample exposure to toxic environmental metals. Two thirds of the Mercury burden in Americans comes from amalgam fillings, and LH had a mouthful. LH smoked, exposing him to Cadmium (the tobacco plant concentrates Cadmium from the soil - smoking is the #1 source of Cadmium exposure in the US). Physically LH was run down; he had no stamina, his heart raced when he exercised, or rather attempted to exercise; even teaching was a strain. Following metal detoxification, his physical symptoms improved. His energy level improved, work was a lot easier, and so was golf, but LH's psychological symptoms did not budge.

LH had also been troubled by anxiety, really unexplained anxiety with obsessive compulsive features. LH had been exposed to the same life stresses as the rest of us (going to school at MIT was probably more stressful than was school for the rest of us), but his life had been settled, and professionally and financially he was a success. There really was no reason for the worry. Unexplained physical symptoms may certainly be due to metal toxicity, and may resolve following metal detoxification, so why not psychological symptoms?

Dr. Bonlie feels that for metal detoxification to occur, some cellular energy is required; some ATP is needed to man the pumps that transport metal ions in and out of the cell, and that MME provides this energy (discussed in more detail elsewhere on this site). Maybe we got enough metal out of LH's body to improve his fatigue, but not enough out of his brain to improve his psychic symptoms. We thus treated LH with MME to the head, with DMSA, aiming to remove metals from his mind and to improve the function of his brain cells.

To this point LH has received 20 hours of MME, taken in 2-3 hour increments. LH is better. His personality has changed; its obvious to me and its obvious to our staff. LH is going to keep up with this periodic MME for his mind, as he feels it to be needed. Dr. Bonlie has treated a handful of individuals with severe depression; most but not all felt improved. Dr. Bonlie has found 36 hours of MME over a three day weekend to be helpful for "executive burnout" and stress. When he has a big decision to make, Dr. Bonlie takes a nap under MME. I've done this and find it refreshing. LH certainly felt improved - in his words:

"I have been suffering from anxiety and obsessive-compulsive worry for several years, mainly worry about events and people.
Anxiety is definitely a form of suffering. Medication has not worked for me, and supplements have had little effect.
I have now completed about 20 hours of MME for anxiety. This has been done by putting my head underneath the device.
All of the sessions have been 2 to 3 hours.
MME is great! I am not "cured", but I am definitely better. In particular,  the worries do not last as long.
The "degree" of anxiety is less when I do worry.
Both points are significant. Previously I might worry for a day or more on something, and now that is rare. The intensity of the suffering is also less. I do not feel as completely taken over by the anxiety.
I am keen to continue treatment, for I feel that I have had significant gains for such a short time with MME".                                 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                                                                                                      LH - 2/28/04 2/28/04

OM presented in 7/06 with medically controlled hypertension and treated hypothyroidism along with multiple symptoms, intellectual and physical, that could not be explained by her prior MDs. Short and long term memory were fading; irritability was becoming an issue. Physically OM was troubled my unexplained muscle aching, GE reflux, sweats, shortness of breath with effort, and undue fatigue. A 9:00 stress echo study returned normal - coronary disease was not the issue. A broad spectrum nutritional program was initiated, including Iodine and Fish Oil, and with this OM improved a little. When patients present with multiple symptoms referable to multiple organ systems I think first of toxicity and second of systemic infection, and OM had both. Her 8/06 triple challenge study demonstrated spills of Lead, Mercury, and Nickel.

Oral DMSA therapy was initiated and OM's amalgam fillings were sequentially removed by a qualified dentist. OM began sleeping on a 20 Gauss Magnetic sleep pad, now utilizing topical DMPS-Glutathione, 25 drops every evening, as her metal chelator. A Medical Bioresonance evaluation revealed a chronic viral problem, which was addressed with a digital Homeopathic approach. With these measures OM improved further. In mid-12/06 OM told me - "this is the best I have felt in years" - but I thought that OM could feel better. Metal chelation, sleep pad, and homeopathic therapy all set the stage for MME, clearing out toxins and improving nutritional biochemistry, such that a patient can get the most out of their MME sessions.

OM received 50 hours of MME, in 4 hour increments, in 1/07. I was right; she improved further, and she is delighted with the return of her health. In OM's words:

Changes since beginning MME:
- Digestive tract operating better. No more pains when hungry. No cravings. Eating healthier because my body desires it. Can go all day on a lot less food. Stay full longer. Stomach is becoming less bloated. Inches coming off, but weight still the same.
- I sleep soundly through the night.
- My bladder can hold it comfortably through the night. No more coughing and leaking.
- Not out of breath when climbing stairs. Can walk much faster and farther when taking walks.
- I feel much more alert and alive; I'm thinking more clearly.
- Memory may be getting better.
- Pain in neck and shoulders have disappeared.
- Pain in foot is gone.
- Knee pain and stiffness has decreased considerably.
- May have a little more flexibility in the toes.
- Arthritis in two fingers has disappeared.
- No more leg cramps at night.
- Skin changes: "Cherry spots" shrinking and turning purple. Bumps on upper arms are slowly disappearing. a wart has almost disappeared. Age or "liver spots" are fading. "Sub K's" are disappearing.
- Much more energy.
- Much happier.

Metals can affect the mind, just as they do the body. Our minds can't last forever, and sooner or later our intellectual performance will fade, but when it fades prematurely, it makes sense to look for and address toxicity and then to try to restore intellectual function with MME.

This 55 year old physician presented in 7/06 with head ache, no longer responding well to medical therapy, a memory disturbance that was starting to compromise her work, and along term impairment in her sense of smell. MM sustained neck trauma in a motor vehicle accident in 1984 - headache had been a constant since then but up until recently had responded well Maxalt. A surgical procedure carried out when she was a kid to address Eustachian tube compression from enlarged tonsils and adenoids damaged the olfactory nerves (which mediated the sense of smell). Hypothyroidism was being addressed medically, but MM's energy level was sub par and her GI tract chronically sluggish. MM was already on an extensive nutritional program, so our first step was our "outside the box" diagnostic evaluation.

A metal challenge study demonstrated spills of Lead, Cadmium, and to a lesser degree Mercury and Nickel. A Medical Bioresonance evaluation described two chronic infections along with systemic toxicity. MM's amalgam fillings were removed, topical DMPS-Glutathione was used as a metal chelator, and MM began sleeping on a 20 Gauss Magnetico pad to enhance metal removal. By 12/06 MM was feeling a little better. Headache and Rosacea had improved, and her energy level was up. MM's requirement for thyroid hormone had decreased. By 1/07 MM was feeling a lot better. Fatigue was less of an issue; she could now take long walks without difficult. Migraines had quieted down nicely, and her BP, never markedly elevated, was a little lower. MM hurt her foot raking leaves; it wasn't healing up well so we treated her foot with MME for 8 hours with good results

I felt that the stage had been set for MME to MM's head - she received 150 hours over 15 days in 1-2/07. Our Asyra and LED equipment arrived as MM was receiving MME. LED (Laser Energetic Detoxification) was carried out for Mercury, Sugar, Fungal toxins, Salsinol sensitivity, and for the Uranium group of metals. With these measures MM felt awful. Headaches returned and lasted hours at a time; Maxalt had only limited effect. MM's energy level fell off, and her GI tract slowed down. We interpreted these symptoms as detox reactions, a temporary flare up of chronic symptoms as the toxins causing them leave the body. We didn't stop what we were doing, as what we were doing made sense; instead we were patient.

Following MME MM kept up with metal detoxification, now with oral DMSA at bedtime (by rotating chelators I think we get a more complete metal detoxification). A repeat Asyra evaluation showed that the toxins and sensitivities addressed with LED had cleared. In their place were second level issues (Asyra stratifies health concerns in order of importance; then we clear them layer by layer, sort of like peeling off the layers of an onion), including DDT, 245T (pesticides and herbicides) and sensitivity to grains and fossil fuels.

I saw MM in early 3/07, 4 week out from MME and her initial LED sessions. She was feeling great. Our patience had been rewarded. The detox reactions resolved on their own, her energy level and overall sense of well being had improved, and headache was no longer an issue. Her sense of smell was returning (MME repaired the damaged olfactory nerves). She no longer had a craving for sugar and chocolate (the result of the LED treatments). We will keep up with MM's basic treatment program, utilizing LED and homeopathic approaches to the toxins and sensitivities picked up by Asyra, with ongoing metal chelation and sleep pad therapy. In 6 months her metal challenge study will be repeated.

Tinnitus is the medical term for ringing in the ears, a constant buzzing or bell ringing, often accompanied by hearing loss. Tinnitus can occur due to barotrauma (my younger brother, who by the way recently ran a 100 mile Marathon in 22 hours) felt a "pop" in his right ear while skin diving. Since then he has been troubled by tinnitus and decreased hearing. Blood flow insufficiency and oxidative stress may play a role in others (as tinnitus may respond to EECP - see EECP literature review section). We can hypothesize that heavy metal overload, in the nerves to the ear or within the brain centers that mediate the sensation of hearing, could also be causative. Most of the time the cause of one's tinnitus is not clear - but you are left with the constant ringing.

BP was troubled by tinnitus, and he sought treatment with MME. BP received 79 hours of MME to his head, with 500 mg of oral DMSA before each 4 hour session. Post-MME BP reports a 50% reduction in tinnitus. It's decreased to the point where it often doesn't enter his consciousness. We don't know whether we've cleared out metals, regenerated nerves, or improved blood flow to achieve this effect - BP doesn't really care - he's happy that the constant buzzing has quieted down. We may treat BP with additional MME in the future and see if we can fully resolve the issue. When my brother gets some free time, we'll treat him as well (but I won't race him).

LE sustained severe whiplash injury in a motor vehicle accident in 1989. His tendons and ligaments recovered, but his 8th cranial nerve, which mediates hearing, sustained damage that has not resolved. LE's hearing is impaired, and he is troubled by tinnitus (ringing in the ears) but his main problem is hyperacusis, a painful sensitivity to loud sounds. A shout, a car horn, loud music, the noise that we are surrounded by in daily life, all produce head pain in LE. LE can't work and he can socialize only on a limited basis, as he has to plan every moment of his life around his hearing impairment and noise sensitivity. LE has seen multiple neurologists, audiologists, and chiropractors - none have been able to figure out or resolve his problem.

LE underwent a MRI exam soon after his injury. Over the following two months, LE was a little less sensitive to the toxic effects of noise. At the time, LE thought this post-MRI improvement was simply a coincidence. One year ago a report came out describing a reduction in symptoms when patients with depression undergo MRI examinations. The authors postulated that the magnetic field exerted by the MRI machine may have a healing effect on damaged nerves. This got LE to thinking about his post-MRI reduction in noise sensitivity. When LE heard about MME, a light bulb went off (silently of course) in his head, and he contacted us. None of the MME centers had ever treated a patient with LE's particular neurological problem, but to me, if diabetic neuropathy, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury patients could improve with MME, why couldn't LE? Neither Dr. Bonlie or I felt that MME could cause any harm to LE, so LE came to Toledo and underwent 95 hours of treatment.

LE experienced a slight improvement as he underwent MME, but after returning home LE noted a significant change. LE no longer needed to wear earplugs all the time. LE could now listen to base on the radio (previously LE would have to adjust the balance on his radio to filter out the base tones). LE was quite pleased with his progress.

Then LE had a setback. While driving in an unfamiliar region, he was exposed to repetitive loud noise, and this seemed to re-injure his ear. In discussing this phenomena with LE and Dr. Bonlie, our feeling was that MME had improved the function of LE's eighth nerve, but that the nerve had not fully healed - thus the set back with the episode of loud noise. LE returned to Toledo for an additional 45 hours of MME. He will remain noise averse for a period of time and get back to us with his status - hopefully with the booster course of MME and more time for healing, LE's hearing impairment and noise sensitivity will improve further.

AMRI of NW Ohio provides MME treatment under the guidelines of an Investigational Review Board, consistent with FDA regulations.

Please note that MME treatment is considered to be experimental by the FDA. Although many patients have improved, no guarantee of success is implied.