Exposure to Molds/ Mycotoxins and Chemicals Can Cause Many Types of Neurological Damage

Molds (fungi) produce a large range of mycotoxins such as trichothecenes which are damaging to the nervous system.  Exposures to chemicals such as pesticides, solvents, vehicle exhaust, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and metals like lead & mercury can also cause many types of neurological problems.  Common neurological and neuropsychiatric problems encountered when exposed to moderate to heavy levels of molds/mycotoxins or chemicals include headaches, depression, worsened memory and concentration, chronic fatigue, troubles with balance and coordination and numbness/ weakness in the hands and feet.

Dr. Kaye Kilburn preformed a set of 26 neurological and neurological tests on 3 large groups of patients including: 1) 105 patients heavily exposed to indoor molds and mycotoxins, 2) 100 patients exposed to common chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, diesel exhaust, formaldehyde, pesticides, glutaraldehyde and cleaning chemicals, and 3) 202 healthy aged matched controls. The mean number of test abnormalities was much greater in the mold exposed patients (average of 6.1 abnormal test results) and the chemical exposed patients (average of 7.1 abnormal test results) as compared to the health control (average of 1.2 abnormal test results).  Compared to healthy controls, the mold exposed patients had significantly slower reaction times, significantly poorer balance, significantly poorer visual acuity and color vision, significantly weaker grip strength,  and significantly lower verbal and motor skills.  Similar significant deficits were seen in the chemically exposed patients as compared to the healthy controls. In addition, signs of peripheral neuropathy (such as rigid or uncoordinated movements or numbness/weakness in the hands/feet) were seen in 52% of the mold exposed patients, 14% of the chemical exposed patients and only 2% of the healthy controls.  Lung functions were also significantly reduced in the mold and chemical exposed patients as compared to the healthy controls.

Dr. Kilburn’s research is now in Press at the Journal of Toxicology and Industrial Health.

For a copy of my free review of neurological and neuropsychiatric effects of exposures to neurotoxic molds and chemicals- please e-mail me at LukeTCurtis@aol.com.