How Vaccines Can Damage Your Brain

[Guest guest]

Sorry this is so long, but I thought it was a well-written article by

a neurologist. It convinced my 67 year old mother to not get a flu

shot next year!

Yerly

Austin, TX

How Vaccines Can Damage Your Brain

Vaccines, Depression and Neurodegeneration After Age 50: Another

Reason to Avoid the Recommended Vaccines.

By L. Blaylock, M.D., CCN

http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/How-Vaccines-Can-Damage-Your-

Brain-49839.aspx

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.

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 ca lled 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 high er 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 depression was also by accident. 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 body'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 dif ficulty 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 the 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 onto getting the shots (such as the bold lie of 36,000

elderly dying 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.

Here is 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 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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