A more definitive technique to confirm the basic premise of this theory would utilize repetitive plasmapheresis. (Also to be referred to as “Plasma Exchange) 9
If the basic premise of this heretical theory is correct as the author thinks it is, Repetitive Plamapheresis in patients with ALS should be able to curtail the rate of progression of muscle loss and weakness simply by reducing the quantity of circulating hepatic generated neurotoxins which the author postulates to exist.
Equally important, the plasma removed from afflicted patients would provide a ready source for isolating and identifying the specific hepatic generated neurotoxin(s) promoting the development of ALS. It should be quite easy to isolate and identify the specific hepatotoxins which will be shown to be the proximate cause of ALS. (1)
Reproducible data confirming that the rate of loss of muscle strength in patients with ALS via repetitive plasmapheresis can be curtailed to an absolute minimum should provide sufficient evidence to warrant performing a liver transplant on several patients with ALS.
A single liver transplant which demonstrates it can permanently arrest the progression of muscle weakness, the hallmark finding in patients afflicted with ALS; will provide the ultimate confirmation and validation of the basic premise of the Liver-Brain-Theory.
Once the exact chemical composition and spatial configuration of these specific hepatic generated neurotoxins are determined, it should be relatively easy to develop specific medications (neurotoxic neutralizing agents) precluding the progression of additional muscle weakness in patients with ALS.
In my opinion, ALS will ultimately be treated as a chronic disease, just as diabetes is, whose progression can be curtailed by a combination of dietary changes and administration of specific medication (neurotoxic neutralizing agents).
Similar studies should lead to the discovery of specific blood tests to identify those individuals at risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease long before they have any manifestations of this terrible disease. Here too, it should be possible to develop similar medications precluding the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s.
In summary, I believe it is far more likely that we will in time be able to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s than we will ever be able to “Cure Alzheimer’s”.
Ref. (1): “No evidence suggests that Plasmapheresis has any role in RX …of ALS.” Consensus Conference 1986: Amer. Society of Neurology
The statement cited above appeared to be an afterthought at this consensus conference as there was no supportive evidence to warrant publishing it in 1986.
Rev. 10/14/2016, 4/12/2017, 5/14/2017 & 8/8/2018