30th of March 2024

Mystery illness among U.S. diplomats did not cause permanent brain damage

Two new studies did not find long-lasting neurological changes seen in earlier research on illness previously dubbed Havana syndrome. But that’s like comparing “apples with artichokes,” says Douglas Smith, director of UPenn’s Center for Brain Injury and Repair and a co-author of the 2019 JAMA report. “The new studies include such different cohorts, timelines, and locations of purported exposures from ours that they cannot possibly be considered as replication studies,” he says. https://www.science.org/content/article/mystery-illness-among-u-s-diplomats-did-not-cause-permanent-brain-damage

The studies:

•Neuroimaging Findings in US Government Personnel and Their Family Members Involved in Anomalous Health Incidents 

Conclusions and Relevance:  In this exploratory neuroimaging study, there were no significant differences in imaging measures of brain structure or function between individuals reporting AHIs and matched control participants after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Ref. Pierpaoli C, Nayak A, Hafiz R, et al. Neuroimaging Findings in US Government Personnel and Their Family Members Involved in Anomalous Health Incidents. JAMA. Published online March 18, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.2424 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2816532

•Clinical, Biomarker, and Research Tests Among US Government Personnel and Their Family Members Involved in Anomalous Health Incidents 

Conclusions and Relevance; In this exploratory study, there were no significant differences between individuals reporting AHIs and matched control participants with respect to most clinical, research, and biomarker measures, except for objective and self-reported measures of imbalance and symptoms of fatigue, post traumatic stress, and depression. This study did not replicate the findings of previous studies, although differences in the populations included and the timing of assessments limit direct comparisons. Ref. Chan L, Hallett M, Zalewski CK, et al. Clinical, Biomarker, and Research Tests Among US Government Personnel and Their Family Members Involved in Anomalous Health Incidents. JAMA. Published online March 18, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.2413  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2816533

Editorial – Neurological Illness and National Security Lessons to Be Learned Ref. Relman DA. Neurological Illness and National Security: Lessons to Be Learned. JAMA. Published online March 18, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.26818 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2816534

NIH Havana syndrome mystery deepens as landmark study looks at brain injuries in patients  

And in an editorial in JAMA on Monday, one scientist called for more research to prepare for the next such health mystery, cautioning that NIH’s study design plus the limits of existing medical technology could have missed some clues.

“One might suspect that nothing or nothing serious happened with these cases. This would be ill-advised,” wrote Dr. David Relman of Stanford University. In 2022, he was part of a government-appointed panel that couldn’t rule out that a pulsed form of energy could explain a subset of cases. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/havana-syndrome-meaning-symptoms-brain-injuries-b2514795.html

Bears repeating.
David Relman on #HavanaSyndrome in JAMA today:
“Given the circumstances, a coordinated national research effort that examines the cellular, tissue, and clinical effects of focused, pulsed forms of EM and acoustic energy is warranted.”https://t.co/Fw1THOYTfx

— Louis Slesin (@LouisSlesin) March 19, 2024

A study found no brain injuries linked to Havana Syndrome. Participants question the research.

A study by the National Institutes of Health spanning four years did not find signs of brain injuries in people affected by the mysterious ailment known as Havana Syndrome, but the results, published Monday in a medical journal, have been disputed by participants who accused authors of bias and mishandling confidential medical information.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article286861020.html#storylink=cpy

The Most Extensive Study Yet of ‘Havana Syndrome’ Turns Up… Nada?

Ref. The Most Extensive Study Yet of ‘Havana Syndrome’ Turns Up… Nada? – Medscape – Mar 19, 2024.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/1000433

Havana Syndrome Mystery Deepens Further After Brain Scan Analysis

https://www.sciencealert.com/havana-syndrome-mystery-deepens-further-after-brain-scan-analysis

Havana syndrome: will we ever understand what happened? – podcast

In late 2016, US officials in Cuba’s capital began experiencing a mysterious and often debilitating set of symptoms that came to be known as Havana syndrome. As two new studies into the condition are published, Ian Sample speaks to the Guardian’s world affairs editor, Julian Borger, who has been following the story, and to the consultant neurologist Prof Jon Stone, about what could be behind the condition

https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2024/mar/21/havana-syndrome-will-we-ever-understand-what-happened-podcast

(2022) Executive_Summary DNI.gov https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/2022_02_01_AHI_Executive_Summary_FINAL_Redacted.pdf

Articles published in the International Journal of Social Psychiatry

Editorial – When politics obstructs self-correction in science

Conspiracy theories and false beliefs are usually not endorsed by scientific bodies or government agencies, which tend to counteract their propagation. However, the case of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ seems to be an exception. Unfortunately, for almost 6 years, the dubious idea that U.S. diplomats and spies worldwide were suffering from a novel brain disorder caused by attacks with a mysterious ‘energy’ weapon prospered in the mainstream media. Ref. Valdes-Sosa M. When politics obstructs self-correction in science. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/00207640231207571

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00207640231207571

Companion article: 

“Havana Syndrome”: A post mortem

Results/Conclusions:  Several factors led to the erroneous classification of “Havana Syndrome” as a novel entity including the failure to stay within the limitations of the data; the withholding of information by intelligence agencies, the prevalence of popular misconceptions about psychogenic illness, the inability to identify historical parallels; the role of the media, and the mixing of politics with science. Ref. Bartholomew RE, Baloh RW. “Havana Syndrome”: A post mortem. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2024 Mar;70(2):402-405. doi: 10.1177/00207640231208374. Epub 2023 Dec 25. PMID: 38146090; PMCID: PMC10913303.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/00207640231208374

Politics dictating on science is like a gunshot in a concert

Commentary to ‘Havana Syndrome: A Post Mortem’

 “scientists should aim at collecting sound data with impeccable methods, not piloted by a priori political frames. Had we done so, the Havana syndrome would have never appeared”. Ref. Della Sala S. Politics dictating on science is like a gunshot in a concert. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2023;0(0). doi: 10.1177/00207640231208373 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00207640231208373

Why the Havana Syndrome Happened 

If, as Bartholomew and Baloh conclude, there was no weapon and no brain injuries, how could such a catastrophic misdiagnosis occur? The deeper issues underlying the events must be addressed otherwise the saga will never end, and worse, it will be repeated in a different situation. The reasons the Havana Syndrome persists today are the same reasons that spawned the episode in the first place – lost credibility in once trusted authorities and institutions. The critical question, then, is how could so many different trusted entities – journalism, scientific publication, medicine, and government, collapse in failure to perform their prime functions? Ref. Fields RD. Why the Havana Syndrome Happened. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/00207640231212865

Congress to look at intelligence agencies’ handling of Havana Syndrome investigation

Following complaints by some of the U.S. officials affected by what came to be known as Havana Syndrome, the House Intelligence Committee will open a formal investigation into how U.S. intelligence agencies handled the inquiry into the mysterious incidents and why they concluded the ailments were likely caused by stress and other factors and not by an attack by a foreign adversary.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article285578952.html#storylink=cpy

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Abstract

Intensive neurological assessments in neurocritical care settings for unduly prolonged period result in profound sleep deprivation in those patients that confounds the true neurological status of these patients, and the mounting apprehension in providers can beget a vicious cycle of even more intensive neurological assessments resulting in further sleep deprivation from being constantly woken up to be “assessed.” This iatrogenic state drives these patients into deep sleep stages that impact spontaneous breathing trials, weaken immunity, and lead to unwarranted investigations and interventions. There is dwindling value of prolonged frequent neurochecks beyond the initial 24–48 h of an intracranial event. We insist that sleep must be considered on at least an equal par to other functions that are routinely assessed. We reason that therapeutic sleep must be allowed to these patients in suitable amounts especially beyond the first 36–48 h to achieve ideal and swift recovery. This merits a paradigm shift.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34220667/

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Article Source: https://www.advalvas.vu.nl/verhalen/ik-ben-aangesteld-om-het-gezonde-verstand-te-beledigen

(Auto- translated from Dutch)

James Lech is a scientific jack of all trades. He understands physics, medicine, biology and likes to study law. He developed a health program that will soon be tested by the police. And maybe there will be a Netflix series about Lech’s work.

BY WELMOED VISSER, February 17, 2021

James Lech (36) conducts research into how people function optimally and they can put that to good use in the police force. “Police officers work under stressful conditions. Being fit is essential to do your job well. ” The Buitenveldert police therefore want to participate in a pilot in which Lech’s insights are tested.

Brain hemorrhage

Lech is an atypical PhD student: one and a half times the age of most PhD students and engaged in his own research, paid for by the South African and Dutch governments. He is formally assigned to the physics of life department, where he conducts research into the influence of light and magnetism on algae. He conducts his research into human functioning in collaboration with the Science, Business and Innovation (SBI) department and various other universities.

Lech comes from South Africa and previously worked there in the world of alternative energy. But when he had his second brain hemorrhage three years ago, he started to study health.

Cold sea water

“I lost my job and income. Half of my body didn’t work. I couldn’t even lift my kids. And there were gaps in my conversations. The neurologist said it would take at least nine months for me to be able to function normally again. ” Lech was convinced that his recovery should be faster. He studied health and developed his own protocol.

Swimming in cold sea water is part of that. “We lived by the sea, I went swimming to catch mussels. We needed it for food because I had no income, ” says Lech. It was winter in South Africa. The water temperature was around ten degrees.

Dopamine deficiency

In addition to exposure to cold, light plays an important role in Lech’s therapy. Natural light on the red end of the spectrum, that is, not the light coming from daylight lamps and computers. Red light increases your dopamine levels, making you feel better, less stressed, sleep better and even score better on intelligence tests. The blue light in computer screens and daylight lamps actually causes a dopamine deficiency, says Lech. As a result, people become self-focused and stressed.

Blue light makes people self-focused and stressed

Lech goes so far as to think that some of the problems facing our society can be explained by the excessive dose of blue light from the screens we look at all day: “In society as a whole, people are more self-centered. and less on connection with each other and with the whole. You see it in science, for example, everyone does their own little piece and nobody has an overview anymore. ” 

Edge of pseudoscience

His talent is that he sees through patterns between different fields of science, says Lech. He combines elements from chronobiology with his knowledge from physics and submolecular biology. “The steps in my program have been scientifically proven, sometimes decades ago, but never combined in this way.” 

Exposure to cold, for example, has played a role in Scandinavian and Russian tradition for centuries. Einstein wrote about it and several universities have researched the performance of iceman Wim Hof.

The effects of red light have been investigated by NASA, among others, as a means of keeping astronauts healthy. Lech: “What I do is on the edge of pseudoscience. I was appointed to insult common sense.”

Netflix

Whether the Netflix series will come is still unclear. A producer who works for Netflix is ​​interested in Lech’s work, but due to corona, plans are on hold for the time being. Lech is still looking for participants for his pilot studies.

Would you like to participate in research into the health effects of cold and red light? Register via: james.lech@vu.nl

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Abstract

The skin, a self-regulating protective barrier organ, is empowered with sensory and computing capabilities to counteract the environmental stressors to maintain and restore disrupted cutaneous homeostasis. These complex functions are coordinated by a cutaneous neuro-endocrine system that also communicates in a bidirectional fashion with the central nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, all acting in concert to control body homeostasis. Although UV energy has played an important role in the origin and evolution of life, UV absorption by the skin not only triggers mechanisms that defend skin integrity and regulate global homeostasis but also induces skin pathology (e.g., cancer, aging, autoimmune responses). These effects are secondary to the transduction of UV electromagnetic energy into chemical, hormonal, and neural signals, defined by the nature of the chromophores and tissue compartments receiving specific UV wavelength. UV radiation can upregulate local neuroendocrine axes, with UVB being markedly more efficient than UVA. The locally induced cytokines, corticotropin-releasing hormone, urocortins, proopiomelanocortin-peptides, enkephalins, or others can be released into circulation to exert systemic effects, including activation of the central hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, opioidogenic effects, and immunosuppression, independent of vitamin D synthesis. Similar effects are seen after exposure of the eyes and skin to UV, through which UVB activates hypothalamic paraventricular and arcuate nuclei and exerts very rapid stimulatory effects on the brain. Thus, UV touches the brain and central neuroendocrine system to reset body homeostasis. This invites multiple therapeutic applications of UV radiation, for example, in the management of autoimmune and mood disorders, addiction, and obesity.

tinyurl.com/ntk3glgo

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https://mailchi.mp/b00984f500d1/emfsa-october-2020-newsletter

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Abstract

Purpose of review: This article provides a discussion of the current evidence and contemporary views on the relationship between sleep disorders and neurologic disease.

Recent findings: Disrupted or disordered sleep can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality, the risk of cardiovascular events, increased seizure frequency, and altered immune responses. Studies have implicated disrupted sleep and circadian rhythm dysfunction with both amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and tau deposition. A bidirectional relationship exists between disrupted sleep and the progression of Alzheimer disease pathology. Insomnia has been reported as a prodromal symptom in autoimmune encephalitis. Primary sleep disorders have now been increasingly recognized as a common comorbid condition in multiple sclerosis, making it imperative that neurologists feel comfortable differentiating multiple sclerosis fatigue from excessive daytime sleepiness caused by primary sleep disorders to optimally treat their patients.

Summary: Sleep disorders are common across the population. By recognizing sleep disorders in patients with neurologic conditions, neurologists can provide comprehensive care and, in some cases, reduce neurologic disease burden.

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Abstract

Since 2009, we built up a database which presently includes more than 2000 electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and/or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) self-reported cases. This database shows that EHS is associated in 30% of the cases with MCS, and that MCS precedes the occurrence of EHS in 37% of these EHS/MCS-associated cases. EHS and MCS can be characterized clinically by a similar symptomatic picture, and biologically by low-grade inflammation and an autoimmune response involving autoantibodies against O-myelin. Moreover, 80% of the patients with EHS present with one, two, or three detectable oxidative stress biomarkers in their peripheral blood, meaning that overall these patients present with a true objective somatic disorder. Moreover, by using ultrasonic cerebral tomosphygmography and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, we showed that cases have a defect in the middle cerebral artery hemodynamics, and we localized a tissue pulsometric index deficiency in the capsulo-thalamic area of the temporal lobes, suggesting the involvement of the limbic system and the thalamus. Altogether, these data strongly suggest that EHS is a neurologic pathological disorder which can be diagnosed, treated, and prevented. Because EHS is becoming a new insidious worldwide plague involving millions of people, we ask the World Health Organization (WHO) to include EHS as a neurologic disorder in the international classification of diseases.

Full text

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/6/1915/htm

Copyright; This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Image source: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/6/1915/htm

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Doctor van der Merwe also serves on the National WHO International EMF Project IAC – ZA and ISC committee. https://drive.google.com/file/d/139vTDdQO-Me9yE16sSW6lFcNb_Gck3C8/view

13th August 2018

Dr Pierre van der Merwe is a practicing neurologist at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, Cape Town. Office tel: (021) 554-3032. He also functions as a Neuropsychiatrist after completing his Med Psychiatry. However, after his own personal health failure and dedication to his Hippocratic oath, he made strong changes within his own personal life. This leads him to lose weight, increase his energy levels and better care for his patients.     

Part of his message: “People don’t decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.”

He talks about the importance of sleep, morning rituals, and intermittent fasting. These were effective strategies for mitigating health pitfalls.

Some of the supportive science on what Dr. van der Merwe speaks about:

Some risks with night shift workers (or binge-watching) If it was midnight, the brain would be forwarded a couple of hours to 2 a.m., which matches what scientists expected from previous research. But they found signs that the clocks in the gut, liver and pancreas were much further ahead as if it was noon. The mounting research and recent Nobel gave for work in circadian biology have researchers astounded by how important this is. If your circadian genes are disrupted throughout your body, diseases like cancer, neurodegeneration, and diabetes will inevitably be the result.

More on chronobiology (2017 Nobel Prize) “Scientists have been working for decades to help the body’s circadian system readily re-synchronize to variable work and eating schedules and flights across multiple time zones,” Güler said. “Finding this connection between dopamine-producing neurons and the circadian centre allows us to target these neurons with therapies that could potentially provide relief of symptoms for travellers and shift workers particularly, and possibly people with insomnia.”

Sleep disorders and abnormal circadian rhythms affecting the brain and other organs can worsen many pathologies involving aberrant dopamine neurotransmission, Güler said, including Parkinson’s disease, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and drug addiction. [ https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-08-neurons-brain-body-clock.html ]

Over the recent years, increasing studies into melanopsin show it as a photon/light-sensitive protein in our body. It’s in our eye, brain, and skin. The light you are exposed to matters, immensely! We evolved under sunlight and moonlight/fire for millions of years. Non-native EMF (artificial light) is still very new for us from an evolutionary perspective and the spectrum can and does differ greatly from what nature provides. As Dr. van der Merwe discusses, meal timing is important – we are designed to eat during sun and this has impacts on metabolism as well as our clock genes. Focus on actions to align your circadian rhythm for optimal health and disease prevention. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/night-shifts-put-your-brain-and-gut-clocks-out-of-whack-1.4744868

nnEMF (blue light) exposure thins your retina because of the melanopsin/retinol mechanism. Wearing sunglasses increases that risk. When you practice the action of nnEMF exposure (blue light) day and night, plus wear sunglasses in the day, you get neurodegeneration. The following paper supports why modern humans are afflicted with these diseases now https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2685869

Finally, melatonin is not only a sleep story. More sunlight = more melatonin (from AM sunlight + darkness at night), ups the efficiency of respiratory proteins (shortening their distance) in mitochondria. What does that mean? Better electron tunnelling = increased fuel efficiency and a faster spinning ATPase because H+ is in the matrix and deuterium is denied access. A breakdown in the melanopsin/retinol systems lowers melatonin and allows deuterium to infect the KREB’s BICYCLE.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21355880

Melatonin is made by UVA-IR-A light. Melatonin lowers mitochondrial heteroplasmy rates. Defects in the blood-brain barrier are a risk factor for a neuro-degenerative disease because this barrier protects the brain from protons, bio-molecules, and any other inflammation-causing process between the brain-gut axis. Check out the chronobiology link explaining the link between melatonin and neurodegenerative diseases [ https://www.chronobiology.com/the-link-between-melatonin-and-neurological-diseases/ ].

Super Dads – Dr. Pierre van der Merwe – growing your neurological greenhouse

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Increased radiation from cell towers poses potential risks, say scientists from around the world.

“The wireless industry is trying to deploy technology that may have some very real unintended harmful consequences,” explains one of the organizers of the letter,  Lennart Hardell, https://lennarthardellenglish.wordpress.com/category/glioma/   MD,PhD,Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. “Scientific studies from years ago along with many new studies are consistently identifying harmful human health impacts when wireless products are tested properly using conditions that reflect actual exposures. With hazards at those exposures, we are very concerned that the added exposure to 5G radiation could result in tragic, irreversible harm.”

5G expansion, which is designed to carry higher loads of data more rapidly through wireless transmission, will require the construction of cell towers every 10-20 houses in urban areas.

In California, city and county governments are opposing SB649, http://www.saferemr.com/2017/07/major-newspaper-editorials-oppose-5g.html  an industry-sponsored bill which overrides local control over the wireless industry’s access to utility poles and public buildings for 5G deployment. Environmental health advocates fear that exposure to the added radiation from 5G infrastructure will contribute to increased health problems.

“If this bill passes, many people will suffer greatly, and needlessly, as a direct result. This sounds like hyperbole. It is not.” according to Beatrice Golomb,MD,PhD,   http://cnl.salk.edu/~bgolomb/ Professor of Medicine in the medical school at the University of California, San Diego. In her open letter  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B14R6QNkmaXuZURHNFVEVnNBMjQ/view which summarizes the research on the effects of radio frequency radiation, she concludes, ”Let our focus be on safer, wired and well shielded technology – not more wireless.”

Sweden: Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD
UK:         Alasdair Philips, BSc, DAgE, MIEEE
USA:      Joel Moskowitz, PhD
USA:      Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD

International EMF Scientist Appeal –  http://www.saferemr.com/2015/06/international-scientist-appeal-on.html

5G Wireless Technology: Is 5G Harmful to Our Health? http://www.saferemr.com/2016/08/is-5g-cellular-technology-harmful-to.html

5G Wireless Technology: Millimeter Wave Health Effects http://www.saferemr.com/2017/08/5g-wireless-technology-millimeter-wave.html

Cell Tower Health Effects http://www.saferemr.com/2015/04/cell-tower-health-effects.html

Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS)  http://www.saferemr.com/2014/10/electromagnetic-hypersensitivity_30.html

5G Wireless Technology: Major newspaper editorials oppose “small cell” antenna bills  http://www.saferemr.com/2017/07/major-newspaper-editorials-oppose-5g.html
Industry-funded Scientists Undermine Cell Phone Radiation Science  http://www.saferemr.com/2015/02/industry-funded-scientists-undermine.html

Government Failure to Address Wireless Radiation Risks  http://www.saferemr.com/2015/11/government-failure-to-address-wireless.html

FCC Open Letter: Moratorium on New Commercial Applications of RF Radiation  http://www.saferemr.com/2016/07/fcc-open-letter-calls-for-moratorium-on.html
An Exposé of the FCC: An Agency Captured by the Industries it Regulates  http://www.saferemr.com/2015/06/an-expose-of-fcc-agency-captured-by.html

WHO Radiofrequency Radiation Policy

http://www.saferemr.com/2013/05/upcoming-who-meeting-on-radiofrequency.html

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety 

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