Earn up to 14.5

CME credits!

Laboratory, Endocrine, & Neurotransmitter Symposium

February 7-9, 2020

Las Vegas, NV

Gain additional clinical insight and treatment considerations to evaluate some of the most prevalent and challenging conditions that patients present with, including depression, anxiety, altered mental focus and stamina, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, addictions and dependencies, weight management, and chronic disease. Register today!

 

Wellness Wednesday

Webinar Series

Advanced Neuroendocrine Primer: Considerations for achieving the best outcomes in your patients

By: Lylen Ferris ND

November 6th, 2019

Join Labrix clinical staff and special guests on the first Wednesday of every month at 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM PST. This free, live webinar series will cover a variety of neuroendocrine topics that will enhance your knowledge, with clinically applicable testing and treatment considerations. 1 CE credit available from the OBNM.

 

AZNMA

Scottsdale, AZ:

November 2, 2019

Labrix and Doctor's Data will be in Arizona on November 2 at the AZNMA conference. Stop by our booth and learn more about testing with Doctor's Data and Labrix.

 

OAND

Toronto, ON:

November 8-10, 2019

Sarah Craig from Labrix and Doctor's Data will be at the In Common Labs booth at the OAND conference. Learn about the new GI360TM profile and how our testing can help your practice.

Estrogen and Brain Function:

Mental Clarity Through Menopause

 

By Hana Paterno, ND | October 29, 2019

Today, mental clarity is vital not only to health, but to the ability to function well at work, home, and in the world at large. During the perimenopausal and menopausal transition, estrogen and progesterone levels decline, leading to a host of symptoms including loss of mental clarity. Brain fog is a commonly used term that describes this loss of mental clarity, in which sufferers experience difficulty with memory, word recall, and concentration. While there are multiple etiologies of brain fog, studies have shown that hormonal imbalance is a poignant factor.  

Estrogen promotes cognitive function in several ways, including the promotion of neuroplasticity, which is crucial for healthy brain function. Estrogen affects neuroplasticity by promoting neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Neurotrophins influence the survival, development, and function of neurons. As estrogen levels decline with age, NGF and BDNF also decline, leading to a decrease in neuroplasticity and thus, a decline in mental clarity. In addition to promoting neuroplasticity, estrogen helps to improve mitochondrial function, promotes ATP production, and helps to regulate glucose metabolism. It has antioxidant effects, protecting against reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and cell death.  

Estrogen receptors have been found throughout the brain and many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of estrogen replacement therapy on brain function, even showing preventative promise in Alzheimer's disease and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s patients. It has been shown to increase trophic (growth) factors, thereby decreasing beta-amyloid development within the brain. Estrogen also influences neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin, glutamate and acetylcholine, which affect learning, memory, and communication between neurons and other nerve cells. Transdermal estradiol demonstrates increased serotonin receptor binding in the right frontal cortex, enhancing executive function and psychomotor speed. 

If declining hormone levels or hormone imbalance is suspected in patients with brain fog, consider Doctor’s Data/Labrix salivary Comprehensive Hormone Profile which measures estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and diurnal cortisol. Salivary hormone testing can provide insight into a potential etiology to brain fog, which will help determine treatment considerations. Urinary neurotransmitter testing can be paired with salivary hormones to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of brain function. 

 

References

Bailey, ME., Want, AC., Hao, J., Janssen, WG., Hara, Y., Dumitriu, D., Hof, P.R., Morrison, J.H. Interactive effects of age and estrogen on cortical neurons: implications for cognitive aging. Neuroscience. September 2011. 15;191:148-58. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.05.045. 

Bredesen DE. Reversal of cognitive decline: a novel therapeutic program. Aging (Albany NY). 2014;6(9):707-17. 

Estrogen and Cognitive Function. (2019). Retrieved from https://www-uptodate-com.nunm.idm.oclc.org/contents/estrogen-and-cognitive

Fischer, B., Gleason, C., Asthana, S. Effects of hormone therapy on cognition and mood. Fertility and Sterility April 2014.101 (4). doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.02.025 

Green, PS., Simpkins, JW. Neuroprotective effects of estrogens: potential mechanisms of action. International Journal Developmental Neuroscinece. July-August 2000. 18 (4-5): 347-58. 

Greendale GA, Derby CA, Maki PM. Perimenopause and cognition. Obstet Gynecol Clin N Am 2011. 38:519-535. 

Hara, Y., Waters, EM., McEwen, BS., Morrison, JH. Estrogen effects on cognitive and synaptic health over the lifecourse. Physiology Review. July 2015. 95(3): 785-807. Doi: 10.1152/physrev.00036.2014. 

Sharma, N., Classen, J., Cohen, L. Neural plasticity and its contribution to functional recovery. Handbook Clinical Neurology. May 2016. Doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-52901-5.00001-0 

Introducing the new GI360™ Profile from Doctor's Data, offering extensive assessment of the gastrointestinal microbiome

GI360™ is a powerful tool to profile the microbiome and compare results to a published normobiotic reference population. Identify gut pathogens to aid in diagnosis and guide selection of treatment. Identify risk profiles for major diseases and chronic conditions

The GI360™ Profile includes:

  • PCR Analysis for the Abundance and Diversity of Key Bacterial Populations of the GI Microbiome
  • PCR Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria, Viruses and Parasites
  • Comprehensive Parasitology by Microscopy
  • MALDI-TOF ID of Cultured Bacteria and Yeast
  • Broad Range of Stool Chemistry Markers
  • Standardized Susceptibility Testing of Isolated Bacteria and Yeast

Disclaimer: All information given about health conditions, treatment, products, and dosages are for educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.