What You Need to Know About Neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s Disease, Viruses, and Traumatic Brain Injuries
A review of articles and resources on neuroinflammation.
Alzheimer’s & Inflammation
Recently, NBC News brought to light that inflammation could be a main culprit in Alzheimer’s Disease.
According to expert Dr. James LaValle (and many others), inflammation is the root of many problems. Most of us think of inflammation when we get an injury and physically see swelling.
Neuroinflammation can also follow traumatic brain injury (TBI)—including car accidents or serious sports injuries that can occur in football, soccer, hockey, and more.
Inflammation can occur throughout the body without us realizing it. It often occurs in the brain. Why don’t we pay more attention to inflammation in our bodies?
Inflammation and Chronic Illness
“Inflammation is a feature of every chronic illness in addition to traumatic brain injuries; people who have PTSD, people who are losing memory, Parkinson’s patients, obese patients… Literally, people who have gained weight, microglial cell activation is thought to be the center of why people lose their fat thermostat and their metabolism’s ability to burn fat.”
“Bottom line if you have neuroinflammation, not just your brain is aging at an accelerated rate—your whole body will age at an accelerated rate.”
– Synapsin Nasal Spray Interview with James LaValle
(Podcast content used with permission from Healthy Choices XM / Ray Solano podcast/radio interview with Dr. Jim LaValle about rG3 (Synapsin))
What do we know about inflammation?
Stress causes people to feel scattered and like they can’t think straight. They often wonder what is happening to them.
Neuroinflammation is an inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS). It can lead to neuronal injury and dysfunction.
What can lead to neuroinflammation?
- Traumatic brain injuries (concussions, motor vehicle accidents, injury from violence)
- Autoimmune diseases
- By-products of disease (circulating endotoxins)
- Microglial activation (many components of inflammation are led by microglial cells)
- Chronic stress: elevated cortisol may contribute to microglial activation via inflammatory cytokines. Chronic inflammation can lead to neuronal injury or death and changes in behavior, and may interfere with stages of neuronal renewal.
Possible Causes of Inflammation
Traumatic Brain Injuries (examples)
Dr. James LaValle: Director of the NFL Hall of Fame Center for Excellence for research on traumatic brain injuries.
- NFL players with concussions (as well as many other sports)
- Military personnel (e.g., Navy SEALs) after combat-zone exposure
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Electric shock
- Violence-related injury
Disease
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s
- Alzheimer’s (Dementia)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- ADHD
- Autoimmune diseases
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
- Lyme disease
- Mold exposure
- Stroke / TIA
Chronic Stress Situations
- Executive burnout
- Career stress
- Lifestyle stress (money, marriage, kids)
- Overloaded parents with “jello brain”
Methylcobalamin (RG3-Synapsin®) Spray
Rg3 is one of several triterpene saponins (ginsenosides) found in the plant genus Panax, including Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) and Panax quinquifolius (American ginseng). Laboratory studies report that Rg3 extracted from Panax ginseng supports neuroprotection, helping to support healthy microglial activity and healthy neuronal function.
- Quells inflammation, supports neurons, and helps calm microglial activity.
- Triggers mitochondrial rejuvenation—mitochondria become more active and generate energy in the brain.
- Helps with sirtuins (SIRT1), regulators of metabolism.
- Improves receptor activation; outcomes can be influenced by receptor activity and responsiveness.
