questions to examine the hypothesis of a causal relationship between mercury and Alzheimer’s Disease

Started in 1980, The Alzheimer’s Association has been one of the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research in the USA. Currently, there are over 5 million people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and the families of those affected look to this national organization for help and trustworthy information.

Below is a series of questions any reasonable person might ask when first hearing the hypothesis of a causal relationship between mercury and Alzheimer’s disease. 

1. Do the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and mercury toxicity match to warrant further inquiry ?
2. Can mercury (inorganic/methyl) reproduce any of the major biochemical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease ?
3. Are there other biochemical links between mercury and the brain to consider ?
4. How do any genetic variables of Alzheimer’s disease factor into consideration ?
5. Is there evidence of long term widespread exposure to inorganic mercury in quantities above government safety levels in the general population?
6. Why doesn’t everyone who has mercury fillings develop Alzheimer’s disease?
7. If it’s true that mercury is a causal factor of Alzheimer’s disease, then why hasn’t the government done anything about this ?
8. What’s your conclusion

The outcome of these questions should determine whether recommendation of precautionary actions are warranted, as assessed by a reasonable open minded individual.

1. Do the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and mercury toxicity match to warrant further inquiry ?

When one compares the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease to those of mercury toxicity it is quickly apparent that the two share a majority of symptoms. While this simple comparision would not be nearly enough to claim that mercury is a causal factor of Alzheimer’s Disease, it should be enough to warrant searching the scientific literature (peer reviewed published studies) to determine if mercury has been shown to influence or cause any of the biochemical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease, which it has.

*List of mercury symptoms taken from United States Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). “Toxicological Profile for Mercury (Update).” TP-93/10, May 1994, 1999.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services located within the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. ATSDR serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.Irritability

**List of Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms taken from The Alzheimer’s Association website.

2. Can mercury (inorganic/methyl) reproduce any of the major biochemical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease ?