Neurotoxicology Information, Diagnosis, Treatment, Forensics
Dr. Raymond Singer
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01 Definition
Neurotoxicity is the poisonous effects of harmful substances on nervous system function, and a cause of brain damage. Common symptoms can include problems with memory, concentration, learning, mental processing speed, sleep, thinking, language, as well as anxiety, depression, confusion, personality changes, fatigue, and numbness of the hands and feet. Many types of nervous system disorders can be caused by neurotoxicity, including numerous neurologic and psychiatric disorders, as well as chemical sensitivity.
02 Our Mission
To provide the highest quality clinical and forensic services for the evaluation and diagnosis of neurobehavioral, neuropsychological and neurotoxic illness from chemicals, injuries and drugs.
03 Our Experience
Evaluating neurobehavioral function and the effects of toxic chemicals, drugs and substances (neurotoxic agents) on the nervous system since 1979; serving the Courts (federal, state and administrative) as a forensic expert witness in both civil and criminal matters since 1983.
Why is neurotoxicity rarely diagnosed? Many people suffering from neurotoxicity visit doctor after doctor, with little in the way of a definitive diagnosis, and without adequate treatment. The reason why a diagnosis of neurotoxicity is relatively rare is because most doctors do not have sufficient training in toxicology to either recognize this condition, or to make the appropriate referral. The rare doctor who does have training in toxicology often does not have adequate training in diagnosing and identifying the symptoms of neurotoxicity, and may simply brush off the symptoms as being caused by a pre-existing mental disorder, such as anxiety, depression, or hypochondriasis.
Neuropsychology is the study of the brain-behavior relationship. Neuropsychology has primarily been clinically applied to the study of traumatic brain injuries. People suffering from neurotoxicity would benefit from a referral to a neuropsychologist. However, neuropsychologists do not always have adequate training, education or experience in the field of toxicology, and they may not be current with relevant advances in toxicology. Without this awareness, is it still possible to reach a correct diagnosis?
How is neurotoxicity treated? Drugs which have not been tested on people with neurotoxicity and which can have significant side effects may not be adequate for treating this condition. Ask your doctor about the application of the principles of health psychology, diet, behavioral and life style modification, psychophysical exercises, meditation, and dietary supplements, as well as chemical avoidance, for healing from neurotoxicity. These topics will be reviewed as this website is developed.
The purpose of this website is to educate the common person as well as the health professional as to the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of neurotoxicity. Please visit all of the pages on this website for valuable information.
05 Neurotoxicity
Neurotoxicity can be a devastating disease. The condition is epidemic in our society. Unfortunately, neurotoxicity is rarely diagnosed, so people suffering from this condition remain untreated. When this condition is undiagnosed and untreated, the health of a person suffering from this condition can deteriorate. For example, dementia - sometimes resulting in a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease - can actually have neurotoxicity as a cause.
Many people are unaware that toxic chemical effects on the brain can occur without outward signs. Poisoning, by definition, can often be a hidden cause of illness. Because there are often no outward signs of brain damage from neurotoxicity, people suffering from this condition and lacking a diagnosis are frequently misunderstood by family, friends, coworkers, and supervisors. This misunderstanding can have severe consequences on employment, friends and family relations.
Economically, people can become disabled from neurotoxicity. The strain on social relations has resulted in divorce in some cases. Even more devastating, some people suffering from neurotoxicity have committed tragic criminal acts that resulted in part from an impaired ability to think, judge, plan, and control impulses.
Chemicals that we have studied regarding neurotoxic illness include:
Adhesives, aerotoxicity, Agent Orange, ammonia, arsenic, benzene, carbonless copy paper, carbon monoxide, carpet cleaning agents, CCA (copper-chromium- arsenate), chemical warfare agents, Chinese drywall, chlorinated solvents (i.e., dichloroethene, tetrachloroethane, trichloroethene, trichloroethylene, etc.), chlorine, combustion products, contaminated or defective products, copper-chromium-arsenate, damp buildings, dioxin, drugs, formaldehyde, gamma butyrolactone, gasoline, glues, Gulf Health Problems, heavy metals, herbicides, indoor air pollution, lacquer sanding sealer, lead, lithium, MDI (methyl diisocyanate), MEK (methyl-ethyl-ketone), manganese, mercury, metals, methylene chloride, mixed toxic waste, mold, municipal sludge, mycotoxins, naphthalene, n-hexane, oil and gas field emissions, opiates, organic metals, paint, paint remover, Paxil, pentachlorophenol, pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, etc.), phenolic resins, pollution (ground, soil, water, air), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), Prozac, psychiatric drugs (anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, tranquilizers, sleep drugs), radiation injuries, sick buildings, smoke removing agents, solvents, Stachybotrys, styrene, synthetic carpets, TDI (toluene diisocyanate), toluene, toxic waste, welding fumes, wood preservatives, xylene, etc.
Illnesses that we have studied that can result from neurotoxic chemical poisoning include:
Anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, chemical sensitivity syndrome, chronic fatigue, dementia, developmental delay, environmental illness, hyperactivity, insomnia, memory dysfunction, mental retardation, multiple chemical sensitivity, myoclonus, neurologic illnesses due to toxic chemicals (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, , etc.), panic disorder, Parkinson's disease, personality disorders, psychiatric illness due to toxic chemicals (depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, etc.), psychiatric-drug induced disorders (agitation, mania, psychosis, executive dysfunction, suicide, violent behavior), sick building syndrome, sleep apnea, sleep disorder, suicide, tremor, etc.