April, 2006
 

An update on medical research by Kathy Collett

Due to mounting evidence and focus on the brain, Professor Andrew Lloyd and his research team at the University of New South Wales in Sydney have announced that CFS/ME is a brain injury illness. The World Health Organisation previously listed the condition as a neurological
illness adding further weight to Dr Jay Goldstein's work.

Thirteen years ago, I began introducing Dr Goldstein's work as I found he had developed a profound understanding of the brain and associated problems connected to the illness and by totally focusing on the neurological aspect he was able to explain the problems and symptoms
accurately by tracing them to the brain. The delay in acceptance of his work has been both tragic and unnecessary and the exclusion from the three Sydney conferences held in Manly only compounded the problem.

In his books published by Haworth Press, Dr Goldstein used the term brain dysfunction and I feel this is a more accurate and it was also the choice of the attendees at the Belgium 1999 conference where a general consensus was reached declaring CFS/ME a brain
dysfunction illness with a biochemical cause. If Dr Goldstein had not done this research we would still be in the wilderness. 
 

I have one copy of Tuning the Brain by Jay A. Goldstein, if anyone would like this book please email me at nrmecfs@nrg.com.au and I will send it C.O.D

. 
A PATIENT'S PERSPECTIVE

In 1999 at the second world conference on CFS/ME held in Brussels, a general consensus was reached declaring CFS/ME a brain dysfunction illness with a biochemical cause. Years before this outcome, Dr Jay Goldstein began focusing on brain dysfunction and despite my efforts since 1993 of continually highlighting his work it has taken too long for the message to get through.

 Yet it is only now that this aspect is gaining momentum. His profound understanding of neuroscience is explained in his books, the latest being “TUNING THE BRAIN: Principles and Practice of Neurosomatic Medicine”. It is highly rated by several leading university professors and of interest to those who want a higher level of knowledge. (The reasons behind his exclusion at the Sydney international conferences are explained in the Preface)

 We have seen a huge delay in the work accepted as the main focus, while lesser information deflected from the real facts. The books break down the barriers by explaining the function and responses of the brain where little information was previously available. His total dedication to his patients and enormous research contribution to the illness has been a long process from the 1980s to 2003 and has resulted in other US researchers describing him as a genius.

 Unless there is a shift in attitude, we will see others repeat the work of Dr Goldstein from the beginning only to arrive at the same point. This will add further delays and would be like re-inventing the wheel. It could take up to ten years!  Ideally, it is important that as many doctors and researchers are made aware of his contribution documented in his books published by Haworth Press, Inc. One way to make a difference is by telling your doctor about the work.

 My own doctor told me Dr Goldstein has a great knowledge of pharmacology. That, combined with his understanding of neuroscience, enabled him to introduce and target specific symptoms. I was one who benefited greatly for an overlapping condition, Repetitive Strain Injury. After nine years of being unable to use my arms in a repetitive manner without causing severe pain after 20 minutes, I found success with nitroglycerine patches. I use one when I wish to use my arms and remain pain free during this time.

 I saw him in 1994 and again in 1995 when I saw a photo of a biopsy taken from a CFS/ME patient showing a foam-like virus surrounding the brain. It is interesting to note that pets displaying CFS symptoms also showed “unidentified white spots (brain lesions) in the same locations as CFS patients’ MRI’s) as reported in ‘The National CFIDS Forum’

 By Kathy Collett  (Copyright)

More information - Email