Clinical Assistant Professor

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Balancing Brain Chemistry Understanding the role
of Neurotransmitters

• Stevan Cordas DO MPH
• Clinical Assistant Professor
• University of North Texas Health Science Center

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Neurotransmitters

• Various physical and mental stimuli cause
  activation of cerebral (brain) responses of an
  electrical type.
• This electrical information activates the
  production of a variety of chemicals made within
  the brain.
• The major chemicals are called neurotransmitters.

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Neurotransmitters

• Within our nervous system are over a 1000
  compounds which are contributory to brain and
  nervous system growth, development, maintenance
  and death.
• Over 400 are termed neurotransmitters. They are
  sometimes referred to as neurohormones. The most
  important ones that we will be dealing with are
  serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and
  epinephrine.

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Neurotransmitters

• Other important neurotransmitters are
  acetylcholine, so important in Alzheimers
  disease, l-glutamic acid, the primary exitatory
  neurotransmitter. Gamma amino butyric acid, which
  is derived from glutamic acid and is the most
  important inhibitory neurotransmitter.

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Neurons

• There are estimated to be 100 billion neurons in
  our brains to carry the electrical information.
• The neuron is the name of the individual unit or
  nerve cell in our nervous system.
• There are several types and many shapes of
  neurons.

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SEROTONIN VESICLES
AXON
DENDRITE
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CATECHOLAMINE Pathway

• Phenylalanine tyrosine
• Tyrosine DOPA
  dopamine
• Norepinephrine epinephrine

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Tryptophan-serotonin Pathway

• Vitamin B3 as a cofactor (5-HTP)
• Vitamin B6 as a cofactor and vitamin C involved
  indirectly (serotonin)

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5-HTP

• Freely crosses the BBB.
• At equilibrium is distributed equally throughout
  the body and CNS, i.E. All levels are the same.
• KEY 5-HTP turns freely into serotonin and at
  equilibrium peripheral and central stores
  correlate.
• Clinically equilibrium 4 to 5 days of steady
  state dosing.

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Metabolism

• Once the neurotransmitters are in the synaptic
  cleft or free space they exert a physiological
  action by stimulating or inhibiting the receptors
  of the next neuron.
• These chemicals in excess can be harmful so they
  meet several fates.

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Metabolism

• First they can be taken back up by the
  presynaptic nodule transporter (reuptake).
• They can disperse from the area.
• They can be degraded by enzyme systems and
  eventually eliminated (MAO and COMT enzymes).
• They can be excreted in the urine.

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Causes of Neurotransmitter Dysfunction

• Dietary Toxicity Hyperexcretion- Metabolic
  Problems- Genetics

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Causes of Neurotransmitter Dysfunction

• NEUROTOXICITY permanent neuron (cell) death
  leading to ineffective firing of neuron bundles.

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10 Years of Prozac
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Hyperexcretion

• Elevated urinary levels (usually 2 to 4 times
  normal) and low systemic levels

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Hyperexcretion in ADHD
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Disorders Affiliated With Disordered
Neurotransmitters
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Neurotransmitter Dysfunction Diseases
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Neurotransmitter Dysfunction Diseases
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Neurotransmitter Dysfunction Diseases
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Neurotransmitter Dysfunction Diseases
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Neurotransmitter Dysfunction Diseases
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Neurotransmitter Dysfunction Diseases
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IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
95 OF THE SEROTONIN IN THE BODY IS FOUND IN THE
GI TRACT. USE PROTOCOLS AND IF UNDER WEIGHT,
COUNT CALORIES IN REVERSE.
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IS A NEUROTRANSMITTER DISEASE.
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MIGRAINE HA
85 OF PATIENTS RESPOND
15 MISDIAGNOSED IN THE PAST
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MIGRAINE HA
WILL NOT RESPOND COMPLETELY IF THERE IS A
SECONDARY SOURCE OF PAIN
TMJ
HERNIATED CERVICAL DISK
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ADHD
KIDS AND ADULTS WITH ADHD AND HYPEREXCRETION ARE
A SUB-GROUPING THAT WE ARE CONVINCED WILL HAVE
INCREASED IQ FROM AMINO ACID THERAPY
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Fibromyalgia
80 RESOLVE COMPLETELY 20 ARE SO MUCH BETTER
THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE RESIDUAL PAIN lt1 NEED
HIGH DOSE TO GET BETTER
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Goals for Therapy

• Provide optimum neurotransmitter balance in the
  therapeutic range.
• Monitor this with urinary neurotransmitter
  testing.
• Avoid overutilization of vitamins or amino acids.
  The right amount is the right amount.

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Neurotransmitters Do Not Cross the BBB

• Serotonin.
• Dopamine.
• Norepinephrine.
• Epinephrine.
• ALL must be synthesized in the brain from
  precursors.
• Nothing will happen in the CNS if you give IV or
  PO neurotransmitters.

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NEUROTRANSMITTERS
LOW LEVELS CAUSE DEPRESSION AND NUMEROUS OTHER
DISEASES AND ILLNESSES
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CATECHOLAMINE SYSTEM
AND THE
SEROTONIN SYSTEM
FUNCTION AS ONE SYSTEM
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TRYTOPHAN
AMINO ACIDS
5-HTP
L-DOPA
TYROSINE
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OUR WORK SHOWS THE SYSTEM IS MOST SENSITIVE TO B6
COFACTORS
B6
C
CALCIUM
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WILL OPTIMAL GROUP RESULTS BE OBTAINED
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WILL OPTIMAL GROUP RESULTS BE OBTAINED
90 TO 95 OF PATIENTS WILL DO WELL AND RESPOND
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DAILY DOSING RANGES
TRYPTOPHAN -- 2 TO 20 gr.
5-HTP -- 50 TO 1,600 mg.
TYROSINE -- 500 TO 7,000 mg.
L-dopa -- 120mg to 600 mg.
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OPTIMAL THERAPEUTIC LEVELS
DISEASE OTHER THAN OBESITY
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• Optimal therapeutic levels

IN TREATMENT OF OBESITY
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Establish therapeutic range Serotonin 800 to
1,200 for non-weight Serotonin 1,200 to 2,400 for
weight Dopamine 400 to 600 for all
Increase dosing
Make sure the patient has journaled all pills for
one week first
HIGH DOSE TESTING TO ESTABLISH NEED, TEST PRIOR
TO GOING ABOVE THE 8 AND 8 LEVEL
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Cysteine

• When the HINZ protocol is followed, the side
  effect profile is similar to placebo. This is
  because of the NEUROPROTECTION of cysteine
  (CYSREPLETE). CYSTEINE IS A SULFUR CONTAINING
  BUILDING BLOCK FOR 42 ENZYMES AND COMPOUNDS
  INCLUDING GLUTATHIONE AND same.

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Only When Both the Serotonin System AND the
Catecholamine System Are Functioning Properly,
Will the System As a Whole Be Healthy.
Dysfunction Can Be Compensated for With the
Proper Use of Amino Acids.
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Cordas Method

• Evaluate case using standard internal medicine,
  toxicology and allergic methods.
• If any of the 63 disorders are present that are
  due to imbalanced neurochemistry, provide the
  Hinz method.

• After the system is balanced, measure and balance
  hormones with bioidentical hormones if required.
• Initiate and use level I, II and III
  Biocybernetics to fine tune.

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Cordas Method

• Based on stress analysis and clinical history and
  physical and laboratory testing, treat serious
  allergy problems and sensitivities with
  titration, avoidance, LEAP testing RAST testing,
  home modification, detoxification, chelation,
  elimination of infections.

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Cordas Method

• Treat emotional problems with cognitive,
  interpersonal and energy psychology methods
  (diamond, EMDR, REMAP, TFT, EMFR).
• Treat structure with osteopathic, chiropractic,
  cranial and various massage methods.
• Use team approach.

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Thank You for Coming