Younger Onset
Occurs at a younger age than other subtypes, often 45-60 years old.
Problem-Solving
Difficulty with math, organization, words, spelling, and reading.
Trouble With Simple Tasks
You may sometimes forget how to complete everyday tasks.
Frequent Misdiagnosis
Symptoms often misdiagnosed as ADD or depression.
Elevated Inflammatory Markers
High levels of CRP, IL -6, and TNF seen in labs.
High Toxin Levels
Multiple toxins testing at above normal levels.
No Family History
Minimal or no family history of AD.
Increased Genetic Risk
ApoE3 and HLA-DR/DQ genes are associated with toxic AD.
Subtype No. 3
Toxic
Alzheimer’s Disease
The toxic subtype of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is dramatically different from the other subtypes. The underlying causes of toxic Alzheimer’s are unique, as well as the type and timing of symptoms.
ACUTE vs. CHRONIC
Conventional
Training on Toxins
Medical schools and residency training programs teach about the acute effects of being exposed to large doses of toxins. For example, toxic levels of exposure to things like mustard gas, street drugs, prescription drugs, coal factory fumes, lead, and other heavy metals.
However, the idea that small amounts of heavy metals, everyday environmental chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, flame retardants, mold, pollution, and plastics can build up in our bodies over time and result in complex chronic diseases like AD and other dementias remains poorly understood in the conventional medicine realm.
The research on the relationship between many of these “everyday” toxins and AD is growing rapidly and has reached the point where it absolutely cannot be ignored. (1)
YOUR BRAIN ON TOXINS
Toxins and
Cognitive Health
Toxins can have a large impact on brain health and performance because toxins are fat-soluble. This means that they don’t dissolve in water, so your body can’t eliminate them very well via two of your primary elimination pathways: urine and stool. For this reason, toxins in your body tend to accumulate in fatty tissues.
Guess what your brain is primarily made of?
You guessed it, fat. Your brain is basically a toxin magnet.
SLOW POISONS
How Does Toxin
Exposure Occur?
Toxin exposure can come through things that you eat, drink, breathe, and touch. The list of chemicals an individual is exposed to daily has grown exponentially over the past 50 years and can be found in food, water, air, clothes, sheets, car, and the personal care products you put on your skin, hair, and nails, among other things.
“We are constantly and increasingly exposed to a variety of toxins that can have profound effects on our brain health. Taking steps now to minimize toxins in your immediate environment and improving your body’s natural detoxification processes can help mitigate damage and prevent toxin-related cognitive decline.”
Dr. Scott Noorda, DO
Family Physician, Precision Medicine
Creator of the Brainlift Neuroprotective Program
Signs + Symptoms
of TOXIC ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
This subtype often occurs at a younger age, with symptoms typically starting in the late forties to the early sixties. Frequently symptoms initially manifest or are significantly exacerbated following major stress.
The initial symptoms with the toxic subtype are usually not the same as with other subtypes of AD. For example, most other types of dementia start with symptoms of amnesia or memory loss. However, toxins seem to first produce other symptoms, such as problems with math, organization, speaking (particularly with word-finding), spelling, and reading.
As memory loss occurs it doesn’t follow the typical pattern. Instead of losing recent memory first with a progressive loss of older (remote) memories over time, these patients lose both old and new memories. They also start to forget how to do things they used to know how to do, sometimes even simple things.
Additionally, these patients can initially be misdiagnosed with other conditions such as ADD, depression, frontotemporal dementia, or atypical dementia because of the above-mentioned symptoms in addition to associated difficulty concentrating and depressed mood. (13)
Genetic Factors
of TOXIC ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
A question we’re routinely asked is, why would two people exposed to similar toxins throughout their lives don’t both develop AD and other chronic diseases? The answer is complex, but basically, the difference lies in the interaction of how their genetics, environment, and lifestyle influence their body’s ability to effectively eliminate toxins.
Interestingly, the toxic subtype of AD is more often seen in people who carry the ApoE3 (low risk) gene, rather than the ApoE4 gene (classically tied to AD). Thus, these people usually don’t have a strong family history of AD.
Certain types of the HLA-DR/DQ genes are associated with multiple sensitivities to mycotoxins from mold or toxins from other microbes, and thus can increase your risk of not eliminating these toxins and having more detrimental effects on the brain. (13)
Lab Indications
of TOXIC ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Different subtypes can’t always easily be distinguished by lab testing, but there are some unique findings in the toxic subtype that are worth mentioning.
Levels of heavy metals, mold, and environmental toxins can be assessed directly with urine (most accurate) and hair testing.
Lab findings in AD caused by toxins include any of the following:
- Low triglycerides (<60mg/dL)
- Low zinc (<75mcg/dL) and/or a high copper to zinc ratio (>1.3)
- Hormonal abnormalities
- Abnormal ACTH levels (brain signal to the adrenal gland)
- Low pregnenolone
- Low DHEA-S (sulfate)
- Low morning cortisol
Target levels for these nutrients and hormones aren’t always the levels shown as normal by different lab companies. Discuss them with a practitioner trained in optimizing and personalizing these lab findings.
MRIs don’t only show the typical brain atrophy in memory areas like the hippocampus, but the atrophy can be much more widespread. Multiple abnormal spots are also often seen in the white matter, resulting from greater neuroinflammation and leakiness of blood vessels. (13)