Shoemaker RC Author

Research Article Open Access

Reduction in Forebrain Parenchymal and Cortical Grey Matter Swelling across Treatment Groups in Patients with Inflammatory Illness Acquired Following Exposure to Water-Damaged Buildings

Author(s):

McMahon SW, Shoemaker RC and Ryan JC

Exposure to the complex mixture of inflammagens and toxigenic microbes growing in water-damaged buildings (WDB) can lead to a chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). Many CIRS patients exhibit a neurological component of illness that includes structural brain changes. This study shows some of those structural brain changes are potentially reversible when patients are removed from the WDB environment and follow sequential steps of a published treatment protocol. We evaluated MRIs from 91 subjects classified into four groups: controls, untreated, partially treated and fully treated/recovered CIRS-WDB patients using the MRI volumetric software NeuroQuant®. The current study reinforced previous findings of increased forebrain parenchymal, cortical gra... view more»

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