In this intensive, Dr. Carissa Doherty ND and Dr. Sonya Doherty ND will review the biochemistry of pediatric and adult mental health disorders. Chemical messengers to and from the brain can be neurotransmitters, immune-modulating factors, and hormones to name a few. These chemical messengers can be impacted by several key systems in the body. These systems are the mitochondria, the methylation, the microbiome, and the IDO-1/Kynurenine pathway. In this intensive, we will review the research, laboratory assessments, and pharmaceutical and naturopathic interventions to diagnose, treat, and manage mental health via these systems.

The participants of this lecture will become familiar with neurotransmitters involved in anxiety and depression. There are medications used to regulate mood that will be reviewed along with herbs that are used in managing mood. The anatomy of the cells that primarily make serotonin will be reviewed. The methylation pathway will be discussed, and its relationship to the production of neurotransmitters will be reviewed as well as the balance. Testing neurotransmitters in urine, as well as their relationship with thyroid function, will be reviewed. Participants will become comfortable with inflammation of various types influencing mood as well as the connection of the digestive system to mental status.

CE Credits: 

CoNO: 2.25 Category A, 0.75 Pharmacology

CNPBC: 2.5 Category C or B; 0.5 Category F 

Thank you to Nutritional Fundamentals for Health for Sponsoring this session.