Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Autoimmune Degenerative Conditions: the Mercury Connection.                                                                                    B. Windham (Editor)   (snipped from larger paper)

 

I. Introduction

There has been a huge increase in the incidence of degenerative neurological conditions in virtually all Western countries over the last 2 decades(574). The increase in Alzheimer’s and other dementia has been over 300%.   The primary cause appears to be brain inflammation related to increased exposures to toxic pollutants and bad dietary habits(445,574,577,598,etc.).      

Mercury is known to be one of the most toxic substances commonly encountered and to be along with lead the toxic substances adversely affecting the largest numbers of people (276).  Mercury in the presence of other metals in the oral environment undergoes galvanic action, causing movement out of amalgam and into the oral mucosa and saliva(174,183,192,436,199). Mercury in solid form is not stable due to its negative vapor pressure and oral galvanism of mixed metals so that it evaporates continuously from amalgam fillings  in the mouth, being transferred over a period of time to the host (49,79,83,85,183,199,335,etc.).   The daily total exposure of mercury from fillings is from 3 to 1000 micrograms per day, with the average exposure for those with several fillings being above 30 micrograms per day and the average uptake over 7 ug/day (49,183,199,79,83,85,335, etc.), with the majority of the rest excreted  through the feces and often being over 40 ug/day (79,335).

Amalgam fillings are the largest source of mercury in most people with daily exposures documented to commonly be above government health guidelines (49,79,183,199,506,600,217). This is  due to continuous vaporization of mercury from amalgam in the mouth, along with galvanic currents from mixed metals in the mouth that deposit the mercury in the gums and oral cavity(605).  Due to the high daily mercury exposure and excretion into home and business sewers of those with amalgam, dental amalgam is also the largest source of the high levels of mercury found in all sewers and sewer sludge, and thus according to government studies a significant source of mercury in rivers, lakes, bays, fish, and crops(603).   People also get significant exposure from vaccinations, fish, and dental office vapor(600). 

When amalgam was placed into teeth of monkeys and rats, within one year mercury was found to have accumulated in the brain, trigeminal ganglia, spinal ganglia, kidneys, liver, lungs, hormone glands, and lymph glands(20).  People also commonly get  exposures to mercury and other toxic metals such as lead, arsenic, nickel, and aluminum from food, water, and other sources(600,601).  All of these are highly neurotoxic and are documented to cause  neurological damage which can result in chronic neurological conditions over time, as well as ADHD, mood, and behavioral disorders(600,601,577).

Another major source of mercury exposure is vaccines such as flu vaccines which have large amounts of mercury and aluminum, and have been linked to conditions like depression and dementia(445,598). It has been found that vaccines contain adjuvants like aluminum plus mercury thimerosal which overstimulate the immune system and brain, causing high levels of inflammation over long periods of time. It has been found that those who get at least 5 flu shots have an increased risk of inflammatory conditions like Alzheimer’s of at least 500%.

  Mercury is one of the most toxic substances in existence and is known to bioaccumulate


in the body of people and animals that have chronic exposure(85,600,577).  Mercury exposure is cumulative and comes primarily from 4 main sources: mercury amalgam dental fillings, food(mainly fish), vaccinations, and occupational exposure. Whereas mercury exposure from fish is primarily methyl mercury and mercury from vaccinations is thimerosal(ethyl mercury),  mercury from occupational exposure and dental fillings is primarily from elemental mercury vapor. Developmental and neurological conditions occur at lower levels of exposure from mercury vapor than from inorganic mercury or methyl mercury(606).  Mercury in amalgam fillings,  because of its low vapor pressure and galvanic action with other metals in the mouth, has been found to be continuously vaporized and  released into the body, and has been found to be  the directly correlated to the  number of amalgam surfaces and the largest source of mercury in the majority of people (49,183,199,209,79,99,600), typically between 60 and 90% of the total.    The level of daily exposure of those with several amalgam fillings commonly exceeds the U.S. EPA health guideline for daily mercury exposure of  0.1 ug/kg body weight/day, and the oral mercury level commonly exceeds  the mercury MRL of the U.S.ATSDR of 0.2 ug/ cubic meter of air(217,600).   When amalgam fillings are replaced, levels of mercury in the blood, urine, and feces typically rise temporarily but decline between 60 to 85% within 6 to 9 months (79,600.).

 

II. Cytotoxic, Neurotoxic, and Immunotoxic Effects of Mercury

 Mercury vapor from amalgam readily crosses cell membranes and binds to the -SH (sulphydryl) groups, resulting in inactivation of sulfur processes and blocking of enzyme functions such as cysteine dioxygenase(CDO), sulfite oxidase, and gamma‑glutamyltraspeptidase(GGC) , producing sulfur metabolites with extreme toxicity that the body is unable to properly detoxify(33,111,114,194,258,330,331,333), along with a deficiency in sulfates required for many body functions.    Sulfur is essential in enzymes, hormones, nerve tissue, and red blood cells.  These exist in almost every enzymatic process in the body.  Blocked or inhibited sulfur oxidation at the cellular level has been found in most with many of the chronic degenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MCS,  etc (330,331,33,35,56,194,258), and appears to be a major factor in these conditions.  The deficiency in conjugation and detoxification of sulfur based toxins in the liver results in toxic metabolites and progressive nerve damage over time (331).  Mercury also blocks the metabolic action of manganese and the entry of calcium ions into cytoplasm(333).      Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species(ROS) have also been implicated as major factors in neurological disorders including stroke, PD, Alzheimer’s, ALS, etc. (13,56,84,169,207b,424,442,453,462).

Programmed cell death(apoptosis) is documented to be a major factor in degenerative neurological conditions like ALS, Alzheimer’s, MS, Parkinson’s, etc.  Some of the factors documented to be involved in apoptosis of neurons and immune cells include inducement of the inflamatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha(TNFa) (126), reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress(13,43a,56a,296b,495), reduced glutathione levels(56,126a,111a), liver enzyme effects and inhibition of protein kinase C and cytochrome P450(43,84,260), nitric oxide and peroxynitrite toxicity (43a,521,524), excitotoxicity and lipid peroxidation(490,496), excess free cysteine levels (56d,111a,33,330),excess glutamate toxicity(13b, 416,445,598), excess dopamine toxicity (56d,13a), beta-amyloid generation(462), increased calcium influx toxicity (296b,333,416,432,462c,507) and DNA fragmentation(296,42,114,142) and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction (56de, 416,444d).  The mechanisms by which mercury causes(often synergistically along with other toxic exposures) all of these conditions and neuronal apoptosis will be documented. 

Chronic neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s appear to be primarily caused by chronic or acute brain inflammation. The brain is very sensitive to inflammation.  Disturbances in metabolic networks: e.g.,  immuno-inflammatory processes, insulin-glucose homeostasis,  adipokine synthesis and secretion, intra-cellular signaling cascades, and mitochondrial respiration have been shown to be major factors in   chronic neurological conditions (592,593,598, etc.). Inflammatory chemicals such as mercury, aluminum, and other toxic metals as well as other excitotoxins including MSG and aspartame cause high levels of free radicals, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress in the brain and cardiovascular systems(13,595-598,etc.)

         Mercury and other toxic metals inhibit astrocyte function in the brain and CNS(119), causing increased glutamate and calcium related neurotoxicity (119,333,416,496). Mercury and increased glutamate activate free radical forming processes like xanthine oxidase which produce oxygen radicals and oxidative neurological damage(142,13).    Nitric oxide related toxicty caused by peroxynitrite formed by the reaction of NO with superoxide anions, which results in nitration of tyrosine residues in neurofilaments and manganese Superoxide Dimustase(SOD) has been found to cause inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, inhibition of the glutamate transporter, and glutamate-induced neurotoxicity involved in ALS(524,521). 

 These inflammatory processes damage cell structures including DNA, mitochondria, and cell membranes.  They also activate microglia cells in the brain, which control brain inflammation and immunity.  Once activated, the microglia secrete large amounts of neurotoxic substances such as glutamate, an excitotoxin, which adds to inflammation and stimulates the area of the brain associated with anxiety(598). Inflammation also disrupts brain neurotransmitters resulting in reduced levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.   Some of the main causes of such disturbances that have been documented  include vaccines, mercury, aluminum, other toxic metals, MSG, aspartame, etc. (593,598,600,etc.)

Reduced levels of magnesium and zinc are related to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and brain inflammation and are protective against these conditions(595,43).  Mercury and cadmium inhibiting magnesium and zinc levels as well as inhibiting glucose transfer are other mechanisms by which mercury and toxic metals are factors in metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance/diabetes (43,198,338,597).

 

TNFa(tumor necrosis factor-alpha) is a cytokine that controls a wide range of immune cell response in mammals, including cell death(apoptosis) in neuronal and immune cells.   This process is involved in inflamatory and degenerative neurological conditions like ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.  Cell signaling mechanisms like sphingolipids are part of the control mechansim for the TNFa apoptosis mechanism(126a,598).  Gluthathione is an amino acid that is a  normal cellular mechanism for controlling apoptosis.  When glutathione is depleted in the brain, reactive oxidative species increased, and CNS and cell signaling mechinsisms are disrupted by toxic exposures such as mercury, neuronal cell apoptosis results and neurological damage.            Mercury has been shown to induce TNFa and deplete glutathione, causing inflamatory effects and cellular apoptosis in neuronal and immune cells(126b,126c).

        Mercury’s biochemical damage at the cellular level include DNA damage, inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis (42,114,142,197,296,392);  alteration of protein structure (33,111,114,194,252,442);  alteration of the transport of calcium(333,43b,254,263,416,462,507); inhibitation of glucose transport(338,254), and of enzyme function,protein transport, and other essential nutrient transport (96,198,254,263,264,33,330,331,339,347,441,442);  induction of free radical formation(13a,43b,54,405,424), depletion of cellular gluthathione(necessary for detoxification processes) (111,126,424), inhibition of glutathione peroxidase enzyme(13a,442), inhibits glutamate uptake(119,416,445), induces peroxynitrite and lipid peroxidation damage(521b), causes abnormal migration of neurons in the cerebral cortex(149),   immune system damage (34,111,194, 226,252,272,316, 325,355); and inducement of inflamatory cytokines(126,181).

Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is a transmembrane protein that transports sodium and potassium ions across cell membranes during an activity cycle that uses the energy released by ATP hydrolysis.  Mercury is documented to inhibit Na(+),K(+)-ATPase function at very low levels of exposure(288ab). Studies have found that in Alzheimer’s cases there was a reduction in serum magnesium and RBC membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity and an elevation in plasma serum digoxin (263).   The activity of all serum free-radical scavenging enzymes, concentration of glutathione, alpha tocopherol, iron binding capacity, and ceruloplasmin decreased significantly in Alzheimer’s, while the concentration of serum lipid peroxidation products and nitric oxide increased.  The inhibition of Na+-K+ ATPase can contribute to increase in intracellular calcium and decrease in magnesium, which can result in 1) defective neurotransmitter transport mechanism, 2) neuronal degeneration and apoptosis, 3) mitochondrial dysfunction, 4) defective golgi body function and protein processing dysfunction.  It is documented in this paper that mercury is a cause of most of these conditions seen in Alzheimer’s (13a,111,288,442,521b,43,56,263etc.)

         Autoimmunity has also been found to be a factor in chronic degenerative autoimmune conditions such as ALS, with genetic susceptibility a major factor in who is affected.     One genetic factor in Hg induced autoimmunity is major histocompatibility complex(MHC) linked.  Both immune cell type Th1 and Th2 cytokine responses are involved in autoimmunity(425c).  One genetic difference found in animals and humans is cellular retention differences for metals related to the ability to excrete mercury(426).  For example it has been found that individuals with genetic blood factor type APOE-4 do not excrete mercury readily and bioaccumulate mercury, resulting in susceptibility to chronic autoimmune conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. as early as age 40(437b), whereas those with type APOE-2 readily excrete mercury and are less susceptible  (437,35).  Those with type APOE-3 are intermediate to the other 2 types.   The incidence of autoimmune conditions have increased to the extent this is now one of the leading causes of death among women(450).   Also when a condition has been initiated and exposure levels decline, autoimmune antibodies also decline in animals or humans(233,234c,60,369,405)

    Mercury has been found in autopsy studies to accumulate in the brain of those with chronic exposures, and levels are directly proportional to the number of amalgam filling surfaces


(85,577).   Mercury has been found to cause memory loss by inactivating enzymes necessary for brain cell energy production and proper assembly of the protein tubulin into microtubules(258). In a recent study, mercury at extremely low levels found commonly in those with amalgam fillings was found to disrupt membrane structure and linear growth rates of neurites in most nerve growth cones exposed, causing tubulin/micortubile structure to disintegrate.  The study also found that mercury  also interferes with formation of tubulin producing neurofibrillary tangles in the brain similar to those observed in Alzheimers patients(207,462), as well as causing neuronal somata to fail to sprout.  The process was found to result in low levels of zinc in the brain(158,43).  There is evidence that certain redox active metal ions including copper and mercury are important in exacerbating and perhaps facilitating Abeta‑mediated oxidative damage and amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease(462,488,590).   Mercury has also been shown to  induce cell cytotoxicity and oxidative stress and increases beta‑amyloid secretion and tau phosphorylation in  neuroblastoma cells resulting in amyloid plaques which is found in Alzheimer’s patients, and to also cause the formation of the neurofibrilla tangles found in the Alzheimer’s patient brain(462,258).     Mercury and the induced neurofibrillary tangles also appear to produce a functional zinc deficiency in the  of AD sufferers(242), as well as causing reduced lithium levels which is another factor in such diseases.    Lithium protects brain cells against excess glutamate induced excitability and calcium influx(280,416,445,56). These studies clearly implicate mercury as having the ability to cause neurodegeneration in the brain and CNS, at levels of 20 ppb, which is lower than that of many with several amalgam fillings or dental occupational exposure(462).  Researchers at Geriatric and Psychiatric Univ. Clinics in Basel, Switzerland concluded that inorganic mercury appears to be a causative factor in Alzheimer’s and the Swizz Dental Assoc. recommended avoidance of amalgam use in those with neurological disorders(462).   

  Clinical tests of patients with MND,ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Lupus(SLE),  rheumatoid arthritis and autism have found that the patients generally have elevated plasma cysteine to sulphate ratios, with the average being 500% higher than controls(330,331,56,33d), and in general being poor sulphur oxidizers.  This means that these patients have insufficient sulfates available to carry out necessary bodily processes and that cysteine levels build up in the brain and CNS to neurotoxic levels.  Mercury has been shown to diminish and block sulphur oxidation and thus reducing glutathione levels which is the part of this process involved in detoxifying and excretion of toxics like mercury(33). Glutathione is produced through the sulphur oxidation side of this process. Low levels of available glutathione have been shown to increase mercury retention and increase toxic effects(111), while high levels of free cysteine have been demonstrated to make toxicity due to inorganic mercury more severe(333,194,56,33d).  Mercury has also been found to play a part in inducing intolerance and neuronal problems through blockage of the P-450 enzymatic process(84,33d).

Mercury also blocks the immune function of magnesium and zinc (198,427,43,38), whose deficiencies are known to cause significant neurological effects(461,463,443). The low Zn levels result in deficient  CuZnSuperoxide dismustase (CuZnSOD), which in turn leads to increased levels of superoxide due to toxic metal exposure(443).  Mercury is known to damage or inhibit SOD activity(33,111).   Mercury induced lipid peroxidation has been found to be a major factor in mercury’s neurotoxicity, along with leading to decreased levels of glutathione peroxidation and superoxide dismustase(SOD)(13,254,489,494-496).


Mercury inhibits sulfur ligands in MT and in the case of intestinal cell membranes inactivates MT that normally bind cuprous ions(477), thus allowing buildup of copper to toxic levels in many and malfunction of the Zn/Cu SOD function.  Modern amalgams commonly used in the U.S. have higher levels of copper than the traditional silver amalgams and result in much higher exposure levels to mercury and copper(258). This is a factor in higher incidence of neurodegnerative condidtions like Alzheimer’s.    Exposure to mercury results in changes in  metalloprotein compounds that have genetic effects, having both structural and catalytic effects on gene expression(114,241,296,442,464,477,495).  Some of the processes affected by such MT control of genes include cellular respiration, metabolism, enzymatic processes, metal-specific homeostasis, and adrenal stress response systems. Significant physiological changes occur when metal ion concentrations exceed threshold levels. 

Copper is an essential trace metal which plays a fundamental role in the biochemistry of the nervous system(489,495,464).   Several chronic neurological conditions involving copper metabolic disorders are well documented like Wilson’s Disease and Menkes Disease.  Mutations in the copper/zinc enzyme superoxide dismustase(SOD) have been shown to be a major factor in the motor neuron degeneration in conditions like familial ALS and similar effects on Cu/Zn SOD to be a factor in other conditions such as autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and non-familial ALS(489,495,464,111).  This condition can result in zinc deficient SOD and oxidative damage involving  nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and lipid peroxidation(495,496,489), which have been found to affect glutamate mediated excitability and apoptosis of nerve cells and effects on mitochondria (416,445,495, 496,119) These effects can be reduced by zinc supplementation(464,495,517), as well as supplementation with antioxidants and nitric oxide-suppressing agents and peroxynitrite scavengers such as Vit C, Vit E, lipoic acid, Coenzyme Q10, carnosine, gingko biloba, N-acetylcysteine, etc.(444,464,494,495,469). Some of the antioxidants were also found to have protective effects through increasing catalase and SOD action, while reducing lipid peroxidations(494a).  Ceruloplasmin in plasma can  be similarly affected by copper metabolism disfunction, like SOD function, and is often a factor in neurodegeneration(489).

 

There is accumulating evidence that interactions between beta-amyloid and copper, iron, and zinc are associated with the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). (590) A significant dyshomeostasis of copper, iron, and zinc has been detected, and the mismanagement of these metals induces beta-amyloid precipitation and neurotoxicity. Chelating agents offer a potential therapeutic solution to the neurotoxicity induced by copper and iron dyshomeostasis. Currently, the copper and zinc chelating agent clioquinol represents a potential therapeutic route that may not only inhibit beta-amyloid neurotoxicity, but may also reverse the accumulation of neocortical beta-amyloid.  There is also evidence that melatonin may have beneficial effects on reducing metal toxicity(591).

 

Low levels of mercury and toxic metals have been found to inhibit dihydroteridine reductase, which affects the neural system function by inhibiting  transmitters through its effect on phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan transport into neurons (122,257,289,342,372).   This was found to cause severe impaired amine synthesis and hypokinesis.  Tetrahydrobiopterin, which is essential in production of  neurotransmitters, is significantly decreased in patients with Alzheimer’s’s, Parkinson’s,  MS, and autism. Such patients have abnormal inhibition of neurotransmitter production.

         Some studies have also found persons with chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields(EMF) to have higher levels of mercury exposure and excretion(38).</SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font‑family: Times New Roman"></SPAN> Magnetic fields are known to induce current in metals and would increase the effects of galvanism.    Occupational exposure to higher levels of EMF have also been found in many studies to result in much higher risk of chronic degenerative neurological conditions such as ALS(39) and Alzheimer’s Disease(40)   Since EMF causes increased mercury exposure in those with amalgam, and mercury is also known to cause these conditions, again it is not clear the relative importance of the factors since the studies were not controlled for mercury levels or number of amalgam fillings.   Studies have also found a correlation between high levels of aluminum exposure and dementia such as Alzheimer’s(470). It is well documented that neurological effects of toxics are synergistic.    Flu shots have mercury and aluminum which both are known to accumulate in the brain over time. A study of people who received flu shots regularly found that if an individual  had five consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied) his/her chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is ten times higher than if they had one or no shots(475). 


Many studies of patients with major neurological or degenerative diseases have found evidence amalgam fillings may play a major role in development of  conditions such as such as Alzheimer’s (66,67,158,166,204, 207, 221,238,242,244,257,300,303,369,444d,462,35,38d) and significantly improve after dental amalgam replacement and dental infection cleanup.     Low levels of toxic metals have been found to inhibit dihydroteridine reductase, which affects the neural system function by inhibiting brain transmitters through its effect on phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan transport into neurons(122,257,289,372).     This was found to cause severe impaired amine synthesis and hypokinesis. Tetrahydro-biopterin, which is essential in production of  neurotransmitters, is significantly decreased in patients with Alzheimer’s’s, Parkinson’s, and MS. Such patients have abnormal inhibition of neurotransmitter production.(supplements which inhibit breach of the blood brain barrier such as bioflavonoids have been found to slow such neurological damage).

 

Also mercury binds with cell membranes interfering with sodium and potassium enzyme functions, causing excess membrane permeability, especially in terms of the blood-brain barrier (155,207,311).   Less than 1ppm mercury in the blood stream can impair the blood- brain barrier.   Mercury was also found to accumulate in the mitochondria and interfere with their vital functions, and to inhibit cytochrome C enzymes which affect energy supply to the brain(43,84,232,35).  Persons with the  APO-E4 gene  form of apolipoprotein E which transports cholesterol in the blood,  are especially susceptible to this damage(207,221,346,437), while those with APO-E2 which has extra cysteine and is a better mercury scavenger have less damage.   The majority have an intermediate form APO-E3.  This appears to be a factor in susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis(291).  Ones susceptibility can be estimated by testing for this condition.       

     In some cases replacement of amalgam fillings has been found to result in cure or significant improvement in Alzheimer’s patients (204,35,38c).

 

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