title: Mercury toxicity presenting as chronic fatigue, memory impairment and depression: diagnosis, treatment, susceptibility, and outcomes in a New Zealand general practice setting (1994-2006).
abstract: In a group of 465 patients diagnosed as having chronic mercury toxicity (CMT), 32.3% had severe fatigue, 88.8% had memory loss, and 27.5% had depression. A significant correlation was found between CMT and the Apo-lipoprotein E4 genotype (p=0.001). An investigation into an additional 864 consecutively seen general practice patients, resulted in 30.3% having evidence consistent with CMT, and once again a significant correlation was found with the APO-E4 genotype (p=0.001). Removal of amalgam mercury fillings when combined with appropriate treatment resulted in a significant symptom reduction (p<0.001) to levels reported by healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: Northland Environmental Health Clinic, 2 Dip Rd, Kamo, Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand. wojcik@wave.co.nz
authors.forename: Damian P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wojcik
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Godfrey
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: Boyd E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Haley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand
chemical_list: D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury