Neuropathies

Functional Neurology: Brain Inflammation and Depression

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According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the main causes of disability worldwide. Moreover, approximately 30 percent to 60 percent of patients don’t respond to the currently available antidepressant treatments. That means that about 40 percent to 70 percent of patients aren’t being helped by existing antidepressant treatments. One region of research studies can ultimately shed some light on why many patients are not helped by antidepressants.

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Neuroinflammation and Mood Changes

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Increasing evidence from these research studies shows that brain inflammation can aggravate or even increase symptoms of depression. Inflammation is a fundamental part of the immune system. When the human body is affected by toxins, bacteria, viruses, or parasites, the immune system recruits cells, proteins, and other structures, to attack these invaders. The main purpose is to indicate the injured body parts so that we can pay more attention. Inflammation makes affected body parts reddish, swollen, and hot. After the injury isn’t localized, then the nervous system can become inflamed. Neuroinflammation can ultimately contribute to β€œmood changes.” These can also include cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes.

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Generally, people with depression experience sleepiness, fatigue, slow response time, cognitive impairments, and loss of sexual desire. This collection of changes causes people to want to get more sleep to heal themselves and remain isolated so as to not spread infections. However, prolonged inflammation can wreak havoc in the human body and it can increase the risk of depression and other illnesses. Increased evidence shows the link between brain inflammation and depression.

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By way of instance, markers of inflammation are increased in people who suffer from depression in contrast to non-depressed types, according to research studies. Furthermore, indicators of inflammation may also predict the intensity of gastrointestinal tract symptoms associated with depression. A research study that examined twins which share 100 percent of the same genes found that the twin who had a greater CRP concentration, a common measure of inflammation, was more prone to develop depression five years later. Doctors also noticed that cancer and Hepatitis C patients treated with IFN-alpha treatment, which increases the human body’s inflammatory response, also suffered from depression later in life.

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This treatment increased the discharge of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which increased the reduction of appetite, sleep disturbances, anhedonia or lack of enjoyment, cognitive impairment, and suicidal ideation, according to research studies. The incidence of depression in these patients has increased. Additionally, these results provided further evidence for the connection between inflammation and depression. Subsequent, careful research studies also demonstrated that the increase in the prevalence of depression in patients treated with IFN-alpha was not only due to the previously presented problem.

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Depression and Brain Inflammation in Functional Neurology

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Utilizing a very simple way of injecting healthy subjects with immune system invaders, researchers found higher levels of depressive symptoms from the ones who were more vulnerable compared to the placebo group. The subjects that were provided with an inflammatory response complained of symptoms, such as negative mood, anhedonia, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairments. The link between inflammation and depression is much more powerful for patients that don’t respond to current antidepressant treatments. Various studies have revealed that treatment-resistant patients tend to have elevated inflammatory aspects circulating at baseline compared to responsive ones.

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This is clinically significant because a clinician can utilize CRP levels, which are part of a regular physical exam, to predict the treatment response to antidepressants. In one research study, they found that increased levels of an inflammation molecule before treatment predicted poor response to antidepressants. There are environmental factors that cause inflammation and increase the risk of depression, including stress, low socioeconomic status, or even a troubled childhood. Additionally, an increased inflammatory response leads to greater sensitivity to stress. The result was reported in research studies in mice.

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By way of instance, mice that have gone under chronic unpredictable stress have higher levels of inflammation markers. Surprisingly, there are individual differences that make some mice resistant to stress, therefore, initiating a calmer immune response. Depression is a heterogeneous disorder. Each individual’s struggle is unique given their youth, genetics, the sensitivity of their immune system, other existing bodily illnesses, and their current status in society. Being around the disadvantageous end of the dimensions disrupts our immune system and causes chronic inflammation.

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The mind is very responsive to those circulating inflammatory markers and initiates β€œillness behavior”. When the inflammation is prolonged by stressors or other vulnerabilities, the illness behavior becomes depression. If you are a healthcare professional working with people that have depression, it’s fundamental to look at the health of the patients’ immune systems. If you are a patient experiencing an exaggerated immune disorder (e.g., arthritis), don’t discount the depressive symptoms that you might be experiencing. If you are currently suffering from depression, prevent anything that might exacerbate your reaction. After all, treating the root of the health issue may ultimately improve depression.

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Brain inflammation has been associated with a variety of signs and symptoms, including mood changes like anxiety and depression. Inflammation in the brain can also cause a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Inflammation is an essential function of the immune system, however, excess brain inflammation, can cause anxiety, depression, and other health issues. In the following article, inflammation and mood changes, such as depression, can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue and cognitive impairment. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

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Metabolic Assessment Form

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The following Metabolic Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. Symptom groups listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue. Β 

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In honor of Governor Abbott’s proclamation, October is Chiropractic Health Month. Learn more about the proposal. Β 

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According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the main causes of disability worldwide. Moreover, approximately 30 percent to 60 percent of patients don’t respond to the currently available antidepressant treatments. That means that about 40 percent to 70 percent of patients aren’t being helped by existing antidepressant treatments. One region of research studies can ultimately shed some light on why many patients are not helped by antidepressants.Β The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . Β 

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Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez Β 

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References:

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  1. Haapakoski, R., Mathieu, J., Ebmeier, K.P., Alenius, H., KivimΓ€ki, M., 2015. Cumulative meta-analysisofinterleukins6 and 1?,tumournecrosisfactor? and C-reactive protein in patients with major depressive disorder. Brain Behav.Immun. 49,206.

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  2. Hodes GE, Pfau ML, Leboeuf M, Golden SA, Christoffel DJ, Bregman D et al (2014). Individual differences in the peripheral immune system promote resilience versus susceptibility to social stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 111: 16136–16141.

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  3. Krishnan V, Nestler EJ (2008). The molecular neurobiology of depression. Nature 455: 894–902.

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  4. Lotrich, F.E., Rabinovitz, M., Gironda, P., Pollock, B.G., 2007. Depression following pegylated interferon-alpha: characteristics and vulnerability.J.Psychosom.Res.63, 131–135.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2007.05.013.

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  5. O’Brien, S.M., Scully, P., Fitzgerald, P., Scott, L.V., Dinan, T.G., 2007a. Plasma cytokine profiles in depressed patients who fail to respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy. J. Psychiatr. Res. 41, 326e331.

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  6. Tianzhu, Z., Shihai, Y., Juan, D., 2014. Antidepressant-like effects of cordycepin in a mice model of chronic unpredictable mild stress. Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med. 2014, 438506.?

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Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain

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Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.

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Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease

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Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual’s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. Β 

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Formulas for Methylation Support

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XYMOGEN’s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.

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Proudly,Β Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.

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Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.

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If you are a patient of Injury Medical & ChiropracticΒ Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.

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For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link.*XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download Β 

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* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.

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Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Functional Neurology: Brain Inflammation and Depression" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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