Copper Dysregulation And Neurological Diseases

Introduction

I am fascinated and curious as to why we are seeing a surge in neurologic and mental health issues these days. If a condition like dyslexia is genetic, then the rate would be more or less constant per 100,000 but it is not. The same goes with ADHD and many other conditions, including anxiety and depression - all to do with the brain - many that used to be rare. So there must be environmental factors at work here, including toxins and nutrients, influencing genetic expression, coming to bear on brain structure, and how the brain works.

I am also curious as to why young women in particular, appear to be over-represented in cases of concussion and why, increasingly, their recovery is slow and incomplete. Surely, it is not just because women tend to have weaker neck muscles than men? That would not explain their tendency for poor recovery post TBI (traumatic brain injury). In this article, we are doing a deep dive into one crucial mineral for brain structure and brain physiology: copper.

Please start your journey by reading this article, thank you:

https://www.garymoller.com/post/the-inter-generational-copper-crisis

Copper

Copper plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment, and both its deficiency and toxicity can contribute to neurological disorders, including dyslexia. Furthermore, infections like glandular fever (Epstein-Barr Virus, EBV), and medications for children like Paracetamol, can alter liver function, leading to lifelong dysregulation of essential minerals such as copper. This imbalance may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders, concussion susceptibility, poor recovery following a traumatic brain injury, and even post-viral complications, including for the heart and brain, following COVID-19 infections and vaccinations (Long COVID).

Just one point: while it may be impossible to cure or eliminate conditions such as dyslexia (it needs to be caught in the first few years of life before the brain's structure is fully set), addressing things like copper-zinc imbalances may signficantly improve a person's ability to cope and function over their lifetime.

How We Assess Cellular Copper

The best test is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), then having the report reviewed by a health professional with training in HTMA. Copper is one of the trickiest minerals to assess within the body. What is high may, in fact, be low. Read this article for more about how we assess copper on the HTMA:

https://www.garymoller.com/post/indicators-of-hidden-copper-toxicity

Blood tests: Copper imbalances seldom ever show up in blood tests. The HTMA is testing for minerals within the body's cells, and this may bear no resemblance to a blood test. Often, they'll give the opposite results. It is, therefore helpful to have both tests for comparison since the tests may indicate a blockage such as interference from a toxin such as mercury or lead.

Copper’s Role in Neurodevelopment

Copper is an essential cofactor for enzymes critical for brain function, including:

• Cytochrome c oxidase: Supports mitochondrial energy production.

• Dopamine β-hydroxylase: Converts dopamine to norepinephrine, affecting cognition.

• Superoxide dismutase (SOD): Protects against oxidative stress.

• Lysyl oxidase: Necessary for connective tissue and myelin formation.

• Myelination: Copper is vital for myelin sheath production, ensuring efficient neural transmission.

• Neurotransmitter Regulation: Copper-dependent enzymes maintain dopamine and norepinephrine balance, affecting attention and learning.

Copper Deficiency and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

1. Reduced Myelination – Leads to cognitive impairments and dyslexia-like symptoms.

2. Neurotransmitter Imbalance – Impaired dopamine and norepinephrine regulation can affect focus and language processing.

3. Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation – Low copper levels weaken antioxidant defenses, increasing neuroinflammation.

4. Memory and Learning Impairments – Disrupts hippocampal function, crucial for reading and phonological processing.

   
   
   
   

Copper Toxicity and Neurological Dysfunction

Excessive copper contributes to:

• Neurotoxicity & Oxidative Stress – Promotes neurodegeneration and disrupts synaptic function.

• Dopamine Dysregulation – May lead to hyperactivity and impulsivity, overlapping with ADHD.

• Zinc-Copper Imbalance – High copper/low zinc is linked to learning difficulties and behavioral issues.

• Epigenetic Changes – Alters gene expression, influencing neurodevelopmental disorders.

Glandular Fever, Liver Dysfunction, and Copper Dysregulation

Glandular fever (EBV) can impair liver function, disrupting copper metabolism through:

• Reduced Bile Flow (Cholestasis): Leads to copper accumulation and neurotoxicity.

• Lowered Ceruloplasmin Levels: Reduces bioavailable copper, mimicking deficiency.

• Excess Free Copper in the Blood: Causes oxidative stress and neurological dysfunction.

Evidence Linking EBV, Copper Dysregulation, and Cognitive Impairment

• Elevated Liver Enzymes in EBV Patients: 30-50% of EBV patients experience temporary liver dysfunction.

• Copper Dysregulation in Liver Disease: viral infections contribute to copper accumulation.

• Neurological Impact of EBV: neuroinflammation with cognitive dysfunction and memory issues.

• Copper and Learning Disorders: abnormal copper-zinc ratios in dyslexic children.

Contraceptive-Induced Copper Dysregulation (To Be Explored Further)

Certain contraceptives can exacerbate copper imbalances:

• Copper IUD: Directly raises copper levels, increasing toxicity risk.

• Oestrogen-Based Contraceptives: Retain copper and deplete zinc, affecting neurological function.

• Mirena, Depo-Provera, and Implants: Alter liver metabolism, indirectly impacting copper regulation.

This topic will be covered in detail in a future discussion on women’s health.

Copper Dysregulation and Concussion Susceptibility

Individuals with copper-related myelin deficiencies may be more prone to concussions and poor recovery due to:

• Weakened Myelin Integrity: Slower nerve signal transmission increases vulnerability.

• Neurotransmitter Dysfunction: Affects cognition, attention, and coordination.

• Prolonged Neuroinflammation: Inadequate copper regulation may delay healing and exacerbate symptoms.

COVID-19, Vaccination, and Copper Dysregulation: The Perfect Storm?

For individuals already struggling with copper imbalances, COVID-19 infection and mRNA vaccination may be the "straw that breaks the camel’s back," triggering:

• Chronic and Unbearable Inflammation: Including neuroinflammation.

• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Exacerbating fatigue and cognitive issues.

• Compromised Cardiovascular Function: Possibly contributing to POTS and sudden cardiac events, particularly in young women.

Practical Management Strategies

(In the absense of HTMA testing, do these):

Liver Support & Copper Regulation

• Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Kawakawa Leaf: Promote bile production and detoxification. https://www.garymoller.com/post/how-to-make-a-health-promoting-citrus-peel-drink

• NAC (N-Acetylcysteine): Supports glutathione production and reduces oxidative stress.

• Adequate Zinc Intake: Maintains proper zinc-copper balance.

Nutritional & Neurological Support

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce neuroinflammation and support cognitive function.

• Magnesium & B6: Regulate neurotransmitters and promote relaxation.

• Quercetin (NZ Blackcurrant): Acts as an antiviral and antioxidant, supporting copper balance.

There is more one can do and better refined, but that requires the HTMA testing and review to determine a person's specific needs.

Conclusion

Copper plays a vital role in neurodevelopment, and its dysregulation—whether due to liver dysfunction, viral infections, or external influences like contraceptives and vaccines—can contribute to cognitive challenges, including dyslexia.

Given the increasing prevalence of learning disorders, post-viral syndromes, and even cardiovascular complications, understanding and managing copper balance may be crucial for long-term health and neurological resilience.

I will write more about this topic of copper and health, since it is so wide-ranging and there is far too much to cover in one article.