Brain Chemistry Panel

Brain Chemistry Panel

This lab panel was developed by nutritional medicine pioneer, Dr. William Walsh, based on his research on over 30,000 individuals with mental health disorders. He identified several common biochemical imbalances that appear to be underlying factors in many mental health conditions, including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, aggressive/violent behavior, and other mental and emotional conditions.

By carefully evaluating a person’s unique biochemistry, a skilled healthcare practitioner can create a customized nutrient program designed to correct imbalances. Because some people have abnormalities in all areas, while others might only have an imbalance in one, it is important to identify the specific imbalances for better, more focused support.

The nutrient therapies (vitamins, minerals, and amino acids) involved in correcting biochemical imbalances are considered safe to use with most prescription medications commonly used for mood disorders. In some cases, prescription medications may continue to provide added benefits to the nutrient therapies, in which case both can be continued indefinitely.

This Panel Includes:

Kryptopyrrole Urinary Quantitative

Pyrrole disorder is characterized by an elevated urine kryptopyrrole, which results in a dramatic deficiency of zinc and vitamin B6. Pyroluria is frequently identified in behavior disorders, autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, depression, bipolar disorders, assaultive/aggressive/violent behavior, schizophrenia and other mental and emotional conditions. Pyroluria can create poor tolerance of physical and emotional stress, poor anger control, emotional mood swings, depression, anxiety, poor short-term memory, frequent infections, inability to tan, poor dream recall, abnormal fat distribution, sensitivity to light and sound and tactile sensitivities.

Copper Serum

Copper serum is a highly reliable blood test that directly relates to brain chemistry. Elevated copper levels can alter brain function, specifically lowering dopamine levels and raising norepinephrine levels. Imbalances in these essential brain chemicals have been related to paranoid schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, postpartum depression, ADD, ADHD, autism, and violent aggressive behavior. Copper serum levels can single handedly be the root cause of an individual condition, but elevated copper serum levels are also known to cause zinc levels to deplete and oxidative stress to rise.

Zinc Plasma

More than 90% of people diagnosed with depression, behavioral disorder, ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia exhibit depleted zinc levels. Zinc deficiency has been associated with delayed growth, temper control problems, poor immune function, depression, poor wound healing, epilepsy, anxiety, neurodegenerative disorders, hormone imbalances and learning problems.

Whole Blood Histamine

Whole Blood histamine levels are a marker for methylation, a critical biochemical pathway necessary for the production of neurotransmitters such serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Genetic abnormalities in methylation can result in either the overproduction or underproduction of these important brain neurotransmitters. People that overproduce neurotransmitters (over-methylators) often have high anxiety, panic disorders, and chemical sensitivities. Individuals who under-produce neurotransmitters (under-methylators) often exhibit depression, compulsive behaviors, and perfectionism.

Ceruloplasmin

Ceruloplasmin is blood protein that binds to copper and plays a role in iron metabolism. Measuring ceruloplasmin and copper enables a practitioner to accurately calculate a patient’s free percentage of copper. Free copper is the amount of unbound copper circulating in the blood, unbound to ceruloplasmin. Individuals with more than 25% of their copper not bound to ceruloplasmin are considered to have elevated oxidative stress levels. This condition is common in autism, postpartum depression, ADHD, and certain forms of psychosis.

Test Type:

• Urine Collection
  • A test kit will be mailed to you along with detailed collection instructions from our lab partner, DHA Laboratory.
• Blood test*
  • This test also requires a blood draw. A lab requisition form and necessary instructions will be emailed to you from DHA Laboratory. Take the requisition form to a local LabCorp Patient Service Center. A trained professional will take your blood and mail the blood work directly to the lab.

Results:

Results for this panel can take up to 10-14 days. DHA Laboratory will email your results to you. We strongly recommend that for this particular test, you consult with a practitioner that has specific knowledge of this brain chemistry panel. For a detailed interpretation of your results as well as recommendations for next steps, please schedule a consultation with a Village Green nutritionist.

Please Note:

All tests are authorized and reviewed by a physician from our partner laboratory.

Questions?

Email a Village Green nutritionist or call 800-869-9159.

*Blood testing services are available only in the continental United States and Anchorage, AK. Not available in New York or New Jersey.