Vaccines, Depression and Neurodegeneration After Age 50

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Vaccines, Depression and Neurodegeneration After Age 50

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odegeneration-after-age-50.aspx_

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egeneration-after-age-50.aspx)

 

 

By Russell L. Blaylock, M.D., CCN

It has been estimated that 14.8 million Americans suffer from major

depressive disorder and of this number 6 million are elderly. If we include

anxiety

disorders, which commonly accompany depression, the number jumps to 40 million

adults. At a cost of $44 billon dollars a year just for care of the seniors,

this impacts the national budget as well.

Depression later in life tends to last longer and be more severe than at

younger ages. It is also associated with a high rate of suicide.

Previously, it was thought that major depression was secondary to a

deficiency in certain neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly the

monoamines,

which include serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. While alterations in

these important mood-related neurotransmitters is found with major depression,

growing evidence indicates that the primary culprit is low-grade, chronic brain

inflammation.

In addition, we now know that inflammatory cytokines can lower serotonin

significantly and for long periods by a number of different mechanisms.

MSG and Depression

Researchers have also discovered that most people with major depressive

disease (MDD) have higher levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in their

spinal fluid (CSF) and blood plasma. This is the same glutamate found as a food

additive-for example, MSG (monosodium glutamate), hydrolyzed proteins, calcium

or sodium casienate, soy protein isolate, vegetable protein concentrate or

isolate, etc.

Much of the free glutamate in the brain of depressed people comes from

within, that is it escapes from special cells within the brain itself

(microglia

and astrocytes). Free glutamate, that is, existing outside the neurons, is

very toxic to brain connections and brain cells themselves -- mainly by a

process called excitotoxicity.

This connection between high brain glutamate levels and major depression was

discovered quite by accident, when researchers observed that the anesthetic

drug ketamine could relieve depression for a prolonged period. Ketamine is a

powerful blocking drug for a class of glutamate receptors (NMDA receptors).

For quite some time it was known that depression could cause a loss of

neurons in the hippocampus of the brain-the area most important for recent

memory

(declarative memory or working memory), the form of memory most affected in

Alzheimer's disease.

This shrinkage of the brain usually occurred with long-term depression, yet

it was shown, using sophisticated testing, that even without brain shrinkage,

memory could be adversely affected. Some antidepressants could not only

reverse the memory loss but could reverse the shrinkage as well.

The implication was that the elevated brain glutamate, via excitotoxicity,

was destroying brain connections and later killing brain cells in the

hippocampus and that the antidepressants were lowering brain glutamate levels.

Subsequent studies have confirmed that drugs that block excitotoxicity also

reduce

depression and that some antidepressants reduce brain glutamate levels.

The Link Between Elevated Brain Glutamate and Inflammation

A tremendous amount of research has now demonstrated the link between

chronic low-level brain inflammation, elevated brain glutamate levels and major

depression. We know that as we age, the level of inflammatory immune cytokines

increase (such as interleukin-1ß (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-a). That is, the level

of inflammation in our body increases, with high levels being seen at the

extremes of life -- the 80s and 90s.

This progressive elevation in the body's inflammation increases our risk of

a number of inflammation-linked diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, muscle

weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory loss and confusion. People with

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease have even higher levels of these

inflammatory cytokines -- much higher.

When inflammatory chemicals are elevated in the brain it makes brain cells

more vulnerable to a number of toxins, many of which are in the environment.

One study demonstrated, using a series of sophisticated techniques, that if

brain cells were exposed to low levels of a pesticide there was little toxicity

seen and that if you exposed these same brain cells to an immune stimulant

alone, little damage occurred.

But if you first exposed the brain cells to the immune stimulant, the same

low dose of pesticide could destroy a great number of brain cells.

The importance of this observation was that the vaccine made the brain cells

hypersensitive to the toxin so that even in concentrations that normally

would do not cause harm, could wiped out most of the neurons. One of the

strongest connections between an environmental toxin (pesticides) and a

neurological

disorder is with Parkinson's disease.

The reason it is more common in the elderly is that they have the highest

levels of inflammatory cytokines. This also explains the high incidence of

Alzheimer's disease, which reaches incidences of 50% after age 80.

The link to depression was also serendipitous

Doctors using immune cytokines to treat patients with cancer or hepatitis

found that one third of the patients developed major depressive illness within

days of the treatment and that it resolved only when the treatment was

terminated. Other studies, in which inflammatory cytokine levels were measured

in

people with major depressive illness, also found most had high levels of these

inflammatory chemicals.

To their surprise, they found that many of the antidepressant medications

commonly used lowered inflammatory cytokines levels and that patients who

failed to respond had the highest level of the cytokines.

So, how is this linked to excitotoxicity?

Neuroscientists have known for some time that inflammatory cytokines cause

the brain to release higher levels of glutamate -- the more intense the

inflammation, the higher the brain glutamate level. The highest levels are

found in

the prefrontal lobes and limbic system, the areas most related to mood

control. MSG also increases brain inflammation.

Vaccination and Brain Inflammation

A great number of studies have shown that when you vaccinate an animal, the b

ody's inflammatory cytokines not only increase dramatically, but so do the

brain's inflammatory chemicals. The brain has its own immune system that is

intimately connected to the body's immune system. The main immune cell in the

brain is called a microglia. Normally, these brain cells are lying throughout

the brain in a resting state (called ramified).

Once activated, they can move around, traveling between brain cells like

amoeba (called amoeboid microglia).

In the resting state, they release chemicals that support the growth and

protection of brain cells and their connections (dendrites and synapses). But

when activated, they secrete a number of very harmful chemicals, including

inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, complement, free radicals, lipid

peroxidation

products, and two excitotoxins -- glutamate and quinolinic acid.

In essence, these brain immune cells are out to kill invaders, since the

body's immune system sent an emergency message that an invasion had occurred.

With most infections, this phase of activation last no more than a few days to

two weeks, during which time the immune system successfully kills off the

invaders.

Once that is accomplished, the immune system shuts down to allow things to

cool off and the brain to repair what damage was done by its own immune

system.

What researchers knew was that during this period of activation, people

generally feel bad and that what they experience closely resembles depression

--

a condition called " sickness behavior " . Most of us have experience this when

suffering from a viral illness -- such things as restlessness, irritability,

a need to get away from people, trouble sleeping, fatigue and difficulty

thinking.

Studies have shown that there are two phases to this " sickness behavior " ;

one in which we have the flu-like symptoms and a later onset of depression-like

symptoms that can last awhile. They have also shown that all of these

symptoms are due to high levels of inflammatory cytokines in the brain, which

come

from activated microglia.

A number of studies have also shown that after age 50, people have

exaggerated and prolonged " sickness behavior " , much more so than younger

people. This

is one of the reasons why many elderly hang onto flu symptoms for months

after exposure.

There is also another immune phenomenon that plays a major role in

vaccine-related brain injury. Researchers discovered that when you vaccinate an

animal, the brain microglia immune cells turn on partially (called priming),

that

is, they are in a state of high readiness. If the immune system is activated

again soon after (days, weeks to months), these microglia explode into action

secreting levels of their destructive chemicals far higher than normal. This

overreaction can be very destructive and make you feel very depressed.

Stimulating your immune system with a vaccine is far different than

contracting an infectious illness naturally. Vaccines are made of two

components --

the agent you wish to vaccinate against -- for example, the measles virus; and

an immune system booster called an immune adjuvant.

These adjuvants are composed of such things as aluminum compounds, MSG,

lipid compounds and even mercury. Their job is to make the immune system react

as

intensely as possible and for as long as possible.

Studies have shown that these adjuvants, from a single vaccine, can cause

immune overactivation for as long as two years. This means that the brain

microglia remain active as well, continuously pouring out destructive

chemicals.

In fact, one study found that a single injection of an immune activating

substance could cause brain immune overactivation for over a year. This is very

destructive.

Flu Vaccines and an Expanding Vaccine Schedule for the Elderly

Public health authorities and physician societies are in an all out campaign

to have every elderly person vaccinated every year with the flu vaccine as

well as a growing number of newer vaccines. When I was practicing

neurosurgery, the hospitals had an automatic written order on all older

patients' charts

mandating a flu vaccine, unless it was countermanded by the physician, which

I always did.

Now, they are giving the shots in malls, tents and every available site they

can muster. And worse still, using lies and scare tactics to frighten the

elderly into getting the shots (such as the bold lie that 36,000 elderly die of

the flu every year).

As you age, your immune system, including that special immune system in your

brain, releases significantly more inflammatory immune cytokines than when

you were younger. This serves to prime the microglia, as discussed. So, when

you get your first flu shot your microglia overreact and does so for a very

long period -- perhaps years.

Many elderly report that the flu shot gave them the flu. Proponents of

vaccines, retort with a condescending laugh; that it is impossible because the

flu

vaccine contains killed flu viruses. In truth, what these people are

reporting is a prolonged, intense " sickness behavior " response to the vaccine.

To

the body, it is worse than getting the flu.

Remember, no one is recording the number of elderly who die after getting

the flu shot, especially if they die months later, which can happen with

sickness behavior, especially if they have a preexisting chronic illness or are

infirm.

The Shocking Truth

With the elderly already having increased inflammatory cytokine levels both

systemically and in their brain, stimulating these primed microglia so that a

chronic overstimulation of the brain's immune system is triggered, will not

only increase their risk of developing one of the neurodegenerative diseases,

but will also substantially increase their risk of developing major

depression. Remember, this also increases their risk of suicide, and even

homicide,

dramatically.

Anxiety is a major problem with depression, and vaccinations will greatly

worsen the condition. In fact, vaccination, especially multiple vaccinations,

will maintain the brain in a state of inflammation that will be

self-perpetuating, because the excess release of glutamate in the brain, as

well as

glutamate in the diet, will further enhance microglial activation and

excitotoxicity.

Those who are prone to developing one of the neurodegenerative diseases,

such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease will be at a drastically

increased risk as we have seen experimentally when even animals exposed to

subtoxic concentrations of environmental toxins and vaccinated develop

neurologic

worsening.

Most people use pesticides in their home, and studies have shown that the

concentrations in homes are sufficient to trigger Parkinson's disease in

susceptible people. Vaccinations, as these studies have shown, will greatly

increase that risk. Most doctors are completely unaware of this important

research.

You must keep in mind that " health authorities " urge the elderly to get the

flu vaccine each and every year. This will keep the microglia in a primed and

even activated state continuously. Recently, neurologists announced that the

incidence of neurodegenerative disease had been grossly underestimated and

that neurological diseases of aging were increasing at a frightening rate.

They have no explanation.

Over the last three decades the number of elderly receiving yearly flu

vaccines has risen from 20% before 1980 to over 60% today.

If this were not depressing enough, now the public health authorities and

medical specialty societies are adding a whole new set of vaccines for those

above 50 years of age, including the pneumococcal and meningiococcal vaccines.

What is being completely ignored by the promoters of these vaccines is the

effect of multiple doses of immune adjuvant that accompany each of these

vaccines.

Let's say you see your doctor and he talks you into getting the flu vaccine,

the pneumococcal and meningiococcal vaccine all during the same office

visit. That way, he can save you extra office visits. What your doctor ignores

is

that he is giving you three doses of powerful immune adjuvant all in one

sitting, which means that your body and brain are assaulted by a massive dose

of

powerful immune activators, which have been proven to activate the brain's

immune system to dangerous levels, even when given as a single dose.

Proof of this mechanism exists not only in animal studies, but in humans as

well.

Mercury and Aluminum

There are other ways that vaccines can cause havoc in the brain. Most

vaccines contain aluminum compounds. A multitude of studies have shown that

aluminum, especially if combined with fluoride, is a powerful brain toxin and

that

it accumulates in the brain. With each vaccine injection, a dose of aluminum

is given. These yearly aluminum inoculations accumulate not only at the site

of the injection, but travel to the brain, where it enters neurons and glial

cells (astrocytes and microglia).

A number of studies have shown that aluminum can activate microglia and do

so for long periods. This means that the aluminum in your vaccination is

priming your microglia to overreact. The next vaccine acts to trigger the

enhanced

inflammatory reaction and release of the excitotoxins, glutamate and

quinolinic acid.

You must also appreciate that any infection, stroke, head injury or other

toxin exposure will also magnify this inflammatory brain reaction initially

triggered by your vaccines. Studies have now indicated that the more one's

immune system is activated the more like he or she will suffer from one of the

neurodegenerative diseases.

Mercury is also a powerful activator of brain microglia and can do so in

extremely low concentrations -- in nanomolar amounts. Because of its numerous

reactions with sulfhydral compounds in the body (which are ubiquitous), mercury

can poison a number of enzymes, both systemically and in the brain. Of

special concern is the ability of mercury, especially ethylmercury (the kind

found

in vaccines called thimerosal) to inhibit the regulation of brain glutamate

levels. (It does this by inhibiting the glutamate transfer proteins that

control the removal of glutamate from outside the neuron, where it does its

harm.)

In essence, mercury, in the concentrations being injected with vaccines,

triggers excitotoxicity, increases brain free radicals and lipid peroxidation

products, inhibits critical brain enzymes, inhibits antioxidant enzymes and

impairs DNA repair ability. The flu vaccine contains enough mercury to do all

of

these things. You must keep in mind that each flu vaccine adds to the

mercury supplied by your last vaccine -- that is, it is progressively

accumulating

in your brain.

In addition, the aluminum in the vaccines also primes microglia, and when

combined with mercury is infinitively more toxic to the brain. Now, if this is

not enough, we also have to consider the contamination of vaccines with

foreign viruses and viral components. Studies have shown that this is not a

rare

occurrence, with up to 60% of vaccines being contaminated in one study of

several major manufactured vaccines.

When confronted with this fact, vaccine proponents just shrug their

shoulders and say -- " We don't think these things are harmful. "

Yet, the studies say otherwise.

It has been found that insertion of viral fragments, not even the whole

virus, is sufficient to trigger the brain's microglial system and subsequent

excitotoxicity, leading to progressive brain degeneration. This is accepted to

be

the mechanism by which the HIV virus causes dementia in a great number of

AIDS victims. Fragments of the virus (gp140 and Tat) are engulfed by the

microglia and this triggers chronic brain inflammation and excitotoxicity. The

herpes virus and measles virus can do the same thing.

Danger of Live Virus Vaccines

A number of studies have shown that live viruses used in vaccines can enter

the brain and reside there for a lifetime. One such study, in which autopsied

elderly were examined for the presence of the measles virus, found that 20%

of the brains had live measles viruses and 45% of other organs were infected.

These viruses were highly mutated, meaning that they could be just as potent

as other measles viruses, but could be even more virulent.

Worse, is that in most cases they cause a smoldering destruction of tissues

without the obvious symptoms of infection, which has been shown in a number

of studies.

Live virus vaccines are made using a process to attenuate the pathogenic or

disease-causing virus by passing it through a series of cultures. The problem

is that the reverse can also happen within the body. A number of studies

have shown that when we produce free radicals in our body (and we produce tons

of such radicals over a lifetime), it mutates the viruses residing in our

tissues. This is what was found in the autopsy study I referred to above.

Likewise, these viruses can trigger brain inflammation and degeneration,

which has been shown in a number of studies -- that is, there exist a chronic

degeneration of the brain over years or decades. Because it is so far separated

from the time of the original vaccine, physicians just attribute it to old

age or heredity. Anything but the vaccines.

Virologists are also concerned that such mutated live viruses can also

infect other people, leading to outbreaks of disease totally unsuspected by

health

authorities.

Conclusion

Current recommendations by the CDC for adult vaccinations include a total of

14 separate inoculations with infectious agents and powerful immune

adjuvants. To be fair, some of these are for special medical risks and

conditions,

such as high-risk behaviors, illegal drug use and HIV infected individuals.

If we eliminate these, women will be exposed to 10 inoculations and men 7,

should they follow CDC guidelines, which doctors follow.

According to CDC recommendations, multiple vaccinations for a single disease

are separated by no more than 4 weeks, which is close enough together to

produce priming and subsequent hyperactivation of brain microglia. We have seen

that this can trigger a smoldering process of brain inflammation and

excitotoxicity that can not only result in depression, anxiety and high suicide

rates, but can increase one's risk of developing one of the neurodegenerative

diseases as well.

We have also seen that in many cases a person will be injected with several

vaccines during a single office visit and that this means their body is

exposed to a very large dose of immune adjuvant. Compelling studies, using many

animal species as well as humans, have shown that this overactivates brain

inflammatory mechanism that can last for years.

In addition, several additives to vaccines, such as mercury and aluminum,

are powerful brain toxins that are known to accumulate in the brain over years

and can trigger brain inflammatory/excitotoxic mechanisms. Vaccine

contaminants, such as bacteria, mycoplasma and viral fragments can also produce

prolonged brain inflammation and neurodegeneration.

Because the elderly already have high levels of inflammatory cytokines, they

are at a special risk. The very young (babies and small children) are at a

high risk because their brains are undergoing the most rapid development at

the very time they receive the greatest number of vaccinations -- the first two

years of life. In fact, they receive 22 vaccines during the first year of

life, one of which contains a full pediatric dose of mercury.

Like adults, they receive many inoculations (up to 9 inoculations) in one

office visit. This is insane and in my estimation, criminal.

Nasal flu vaccines are even worse, because they introduce a live virus into

the nasal passages, which can then travel along the olfactory nerves, which

leads to the very part of the brain first and most severely affected by

Alzheimer's disease. A number of studies have shown that viruses and bacteria

can

pass along this route to the brain.

In fact, in one study scientists sprayed a bacterium into the nose of mice

and observed a rapid development of Alzheimer's type plaques in the mouse's

brain.

So What Should Older People Do?

First, studies have shown that the primary cause of immune deficiency in the

elderly is purely dietary. The carotenoids, such as beta-carotene,

alpha-carotene, canthaxanthin, lutein and lycopene significantly enhance the

immunity

of the elderly. Zinc, magnesium and selenium are also essential. One should

also avoid omega-6 oils (the vegetable oils: corn, safflower, sunflower,

canola, soybean and peanut oils), since they greatly enhance inflammation and

depress immunity. The EPA component of fish oils (omega-3 oils) is also a

powerful immune suppressant. DHA is not.

A healthy immune system means that you can fight infections efficiently and

rapidly.

Regular exercise, such as brisk walking or weight exercises three to five

times a week also boost immunity, while extreme exercise suppresses immunity.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates also suppress immunity and inflame the brain.

Exercise protects the brain from aging effects and from degeneration.

Adequate sleep is also vital to both brain health and good immune function.

Pubic health officials and spokesmen for the major medical societies are

lying to the public concerning vaccine safety. We now possess sufficient

information from a great number of studies to halt this disastrous vaccine

policy.

We are facing a medial disaster in this country, which is already well on its

way.

 

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Boca Raton, CRC Pres, 1998, pp 93-114.

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Syndrome

and Autism. J Amer Phys Surg 2004; 9: 46-51.

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Dr. Mercola's Comments:

_http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/02/26/how-vaccines-ca

n-damage-your-brain.aspx_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/02/26/how-vaccines-can-\

damage-your-brain.aspx)

 

 

 

First, I’d like to thank Dr. Russell Blaylock for his highly informative

article on this vital issue. He is one of my main contributing editors, and a

valued colleague and friend. As a board-certified neurosurgeon who has written

over 30 papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, Dr. Blaylock

is an expert in the field of excitotoxicity. His papers on the connection

between excitotoxicity and fluoride neurotoxiocity, and autism and the Gulf War

Syndrome have received praise from leading authorities in each of these

areas of research.

I realize that _the issue of vaccination_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/09/29/blaylock-vaccine-\

coverup.aspx) is quite

controversial and is one of the bedrocks of " prevention " in conventional

medicine and

that anyone who opposes them is viewed as a dangerous quack and threat to

the public health. I understand this because this was precisely the view I had

when I graduated medical school.

However, after more than two decades of practice, I encountered hundreds of

vaccine casualties that spurred me to carefully review the evidence, and I

came to a completely different conclusion.

Those at Greatest Risk are Getting the Most Vaccinations

Both infants and the elderly are high-risk groups when it comes to _the

destructive impact vaccines _

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/02/15/shocking-document\

ary-will-convince-you-to-stay-away-from-vaccines-f

or-good.aspx) can have on their health. And yet, these are the two groups

targeted with the most recommended vaccines – often being given multiple

shots

at a time.

I strongly encourage you to review the evidence before you expose yourself

or your children to these potentially dangerous injections. I am convinced

that their questionable benefits are far outweighed by their dangerous side

effects.

As Dr. Blaylock explained in detail above, vaccinations are highly

neurotoxic, and are associated with many neurological disorders, such as:

Degenerative Brain Disorders

ADD

Autism

Epilepsy and convulsions

Mental Retardation

Depression and Anxiety

Central Nervous System Disorders

Paralysis

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Nerve Deafness

Blindness

SIDS

For example, autism was virtually unheard of before vaccinations; its

emergence precisely parallels mass vaccination programs. ADD and learning

disorders

in children are also now being traced to childhood vaccinations. Brain

damage, at any age, is by far the most common adverse reaction associated with

vaccinations, although their actual numbers are not often reported correctly.

Don’t Trade the Flu for Dementia

Vaccines, ALL vaccines, are immune suppressing, meaning they lower your

immune functions. The chemicals and _adjuvants in the vaccines_

(http://www.mercola.com/2001/may/12/vaccines.htm) depress your immune system;

the virus

present depresses immune function, and the foreign DNA/RNA from animal tissues

depresses immunity -- that is the trade-off you are risking.

The medical thought is that it’s okay to trade a small overall immune

depression for immunity to one disease. However, this trade is not at all in

your

favor when you consider the fact that you’re trading a TOTAL immune system

depression, which is your main defense against ALL known disease -- including

millions of pathogens, for a temporary immunity against just one disease. And

that’s optimistic; many vaccines simply do not work and offer no immunity

whatsoever.

There are alternate and vastly safer methods of protecting yourself and your

children against disease, and it all begins with a truly healthy diet, as

_outlined in my eating plan_

(http://www.mercola.com/2003/feb/26/metabolic_typing.htm) .

Of course, _drug manufacturers_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/05/02/pharmacy.aspx)

and _the governments they have purchased_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/02/24/drug-industry.as

px) don't want you to believe that the foods you consume, and the lifestyle

habits you adopt are the PRIMARY SOLUTIONS to establishing immunity to

diseases and living longer.

_Avoiding vaccinations_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/04/13/immunization.aspx\

) of all kinds tends to look like the better

choice the more you know about the subject, and doing your research could

literally mean the difference between life and death.

 

Related Articles:

 

_Vaccinations Prevent Health_

(http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/preface.htm)

_http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/preface.htm_

(http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/preface.htm)

 

_Vaccines and Immune Suppression_

(http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/immune_suppression.htm)

_http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/immune_suppression.htm_

(http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/immune_suppression.htm)

 

_The Truth Behind the Vaccine Coverup_

(http://www.mercola.com/2004/sep/22/blaylock_vaccine_coverup.htm)

_http://www.mercola.com/2004/sep/22/blaylock_vaccine_coverup.htm_

(http://www.mercola.com/2004/sep/22/blaylock_vaccine_coverup.htm)