Outline:
POTS
- Definition of POTS
- Mechanisms of POTS
- Signs and Symptoms of POTS
- The impact of stress on the brain, the limbic system specifically, the immune system and the adrenal system
- Review of POTS, Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome the symptoms, possible cause as they relate to infection, and toxicty
- Naturopathic and pharmaceutical treatment pharmaceutical treatment of dysautonomia, POTS
- New updates on POTS
Case study and questions
Methylation
- Methylation Medicine Methyl donners and medications
- Methylation medicine in other conditions including hormone regulation, and mood regulation and mitochondrial support.
- Methylation and the creation of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline and GABA.
Biochemistry of Mood and IDO-1/Kynurenine Pathway
- IDO-1/Kynurenine pathway and its impact on neurotransmitters
Mitochondrial
- The Cell Danger Response (CDR) is an ancient metabolic response to threat, according to Dr. Naviaux who published his 2014 landmark paper “Metabolic features of the cell danger response”. The CDR occurs when cells are damaged by “chemical, physical, or biological threats”. This panic response focuses above all on conserving resources to protect the cell from harm. Theory and treatment. Immunoexcitotoxicity: coming from immune from immune cells and its implications on mood.
SNPs: how to work around all the main SNPs
- MTHFR: common in up to 40% of patient population. Look at dietary and supplemental work arounds.
- COMT: the pathway in the liver that breaks down adrenaline. This mechanism is used in anxiety and sometimes anaphalaxis
- CBS: the production area for glutathione. Only pathway capable of removing sulfur-containing amino acids under conditions of excess. Doing CBC work arounds
- Histamine is a case. Where? CBC? MAO
- MAO: The warrior gene explained in the complex case.
PANS
- Definition of PANS
- Mechanisms of PANS
- Signs and Symptoms of PANS
- Causes mechanisms of PANS including infection and toxicity
- Naturopathic and pharmaceutical treatment pharmaceutical treatment of PANS
Time Breakdown (90 minutes total)
0–10 min
Introduction to dysautonomia and clinical relevance
- Definition of POTS
- Epidemiology and clinical significance
10–20 min
Mechanisms of POTS
- Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
- Immune activation, infection, toxicity
- Role of limbic system and HPA axis
20–30 min
Clinical presentation of POTS
- Cardiovascular, neurological, systemic symptoms
- Impact of chronic stress physiology
30–40 min
Current treatment approaches
- Pharmaceutical management (e.g., beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, ivabradine)
- Naturopathic strategies (fluids, electrolytes, adaptogens, mitochondrial support)
40–50 min
Methylation and clinical application
- Methyl donors (B12, folate, SAMe, betaine)
- Medication interactions and implications
50–60 min
Neurotransmitter biochemistry
- Serotonin, dopamine, GABA, catecholamines
- IDO-1 / kynurenine pathway and neuroinflammation
60–70 min
Mitochondrial dysfunction and Cell Danger Response
- CDR model (Naviaux)
- Immunoexcitotoxicity and chronic illness
70–80 min
Genetics and SNP-based clinical strategies
- MTHFR, COMT, CBS, MAO, histamine pathways
- Nutritional and clinical workarounds
80–90 min
PANS overview + case discussion
- Definition, mechanisms, triggers (infection/toxicity)
- Integrative treatment approaches
- Case-based clinical reasoning and Q&A
Presented by Dr Carissa Doherty ND