As cases of various neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other dementia-related diseases increase, there is a surge in research examining the effects of exposure to neurotoxins, pollutants, and their bioaccumulation in the body and brain of humans. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that many people with such conditions have been exposed to a variety of toxic pollutants including heavy metals, flame retardants, pesticides, solvents, pharmaceuticals, and air pollution. What is the connection between these toxic substances and neurodegenerative disorders?
Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neurodegenerative disorders or NDDs are conditions in which cells of the brain and peripheral nervous system lose function over time, stop working or die. The most common neurodegenerative disorders include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
While there are a variety of medications and other treatments to help manage symptoms, there is no way to significantly slow the progression and no known cures.
What Are Neurotoxins?
Greater attention is now being paid to the role neurotoxins and other substances may have in the formation of certain neurodegenerative disorders. Simply put, these are toxins or poisons that are destructive to nerve tissue and disrupt the normal functioning of nerve cells. As this process takes place, symptoms begin to arise.
Examples of Neurotoxins that Cause NDDs
- Overexposure to formaldehyde, methanol and the toxicant DDE are all linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Overexposure to mercury, aluminum, copper or lead are linked to memory problems or dementia.
- Chamorro villagers in Guam who ate the flour from seeds containing BMAA, an environmental toxin, began developing ALS, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
- Use of certain anesthetic agents and overuse of benzodiazepines are associated with neurodegenerative conditions.
- Paraquat, one of the most popular pesticides used worldwide is now believed to be behind the dramatic increase in Parkinson’s cases.
Risk Factors
People who are exposed over lengthy periods of time due to their job or serving in the military, run a higher risk of developing certain NDDs. Some toxins may be in the environment or ingested. They cause a condition called toxic encephalopathy which can deteriorate an individual’s mental abilities for a short or long period of time.
Risk factors include being exposed to the following:
- Heavy metals including mercury, lead, arsenic, lithium and toluene
- Pesticides for long periods of time (linked to Parkinson’s disease)
- Cyad, a seed in the Western Pacific
- Certain psychotropic and illegal drugs
- Flame retardants
- Solvents
- Air pollution (nitrogen dioxide, second hand smoke and carbon monoxide)
- Plasticizers (used to make vinyl flooring, clothing, hoses and wires)
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure
Although the signs and symptoms of neurotoxicity will differ from person-to-person, there are some symptoms including:
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Increased irritability
- Uncontrollable physical movements and twitches
- Changes in behavior and personality
These symptoms may be easily confused with those of most progressive dementias and it can be difficult to trace the exact cause of dementia from such toxins. Some of the more short-term symptoms include headache and nausea, dizziness and lightheadedness.
Treatments
Different treatments exist depending on the severity and intensity of exposure to these substances. While there are no cures, some of the physical effects can be managed through dietary changes, nutritional supplements, the use of anticonvulsants and sometimes full organ transplants. Some experts believe that L-Serine may be effective in treating Parkinson’s disease, ALS, memory and other cognitive conditions.
Final Thoughts on Neurotoxins and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Is it a coincidence that an increase in the use of many toxic substances used in the United States and around the world is occurring at the same time there is a dramatic increase in many neurodegenerative diseases? While some would argue that neurodegenerative disorders, Huntington’s disease in particular, are caused by genetic mutations, is it possible that neurotoxins and other toxic substances can be placed into the context of possible genetically-determining susceptibility? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.