Neural Zoomer Plus
SerumPerformed by: Vibrant Wellness
The Neural Zoomer Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural Zoomer Plus is designed to assess an individual’s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens, which may have connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases.
With a panel of 48 of the most well-studied neurological autoantibodies, the Neural Zoomer Plus is able to guide providers in treatment protocols by pinpointing the mechanisms behind disease progression and providing a roadmap to solutions and improved health outcomes in this challenging arena of disease.
The test also has optional additional genetic testing for the ApoE genotype, which has been shown to influence risk for certain neurological conditions.
The Vibrant Neural Zoomer Plus aims to reduce the prevalence of neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention.
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Autoimmunity is a main component in nervous system diseases where a misguided immune response attacks the body's own organs and tissues. Autoimmune disorders affect 5-10% of the general population and can target virtually any structure within the central or peripheral nervous system in a highly specific way, targeting a very specific cell population (e.g., Purkinje cells of the cerebellum). Depending on the cell type that is targeted in different central nervous system (CNS) structures (e.g., the astrocyte in neuromyelitis optica), the syndromes that result may be diverse, such as those associated with optic neuritis, myelitis, and attacks of brain edema in neuromyelitis optica.
Understanding these specific disorders requires an analysis of how the target antigen molecules affect immune cellular interactions both to generate the autoimmune reaction and to produce the immune–mediated injury of the nervous system. Autoantibodies are a novel emerging entity that is useful in providing such information in early stages of the disease with a simple blood sample. The Vibrant neurological autoimmune panel, “Neural Zoomer,” includes a comprehensive spectrum of autoimmune markers responsible for a diverse range of neural autoimmune diseases that has the potential to provide the details of the specific type of autoimmune neural disease (eg: demyelination, blood brain barrier disruption, optical/peripheral neuropathy, neuromuscular disorders, brain inflammation and autoimmunity) and the degree of severity to implement the most effective treatment plan possible.
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Neurological autoimmunity is a misguided immune response to virtually any structure within the central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Studies show that neurological antibodies may have connections with a variety of neurologically related diseases that can progress slowly over decades if lifestyle modifications and medical interventions are not implemented.
Common symptoms associated with autoimmunity in the nervous system include:
- Cognitive decline
- Memory loss
- Ataxia
- Balance problems
- Neuropathy
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Encephalitis
- Muscle spasms
- Huntington’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Dementia
- Myasthenia gravis
- Muscle stiffness/rigidity
- Optical decline
- Neuromyelitis optica
- History of concussion
- Autism
- PANDAS/ANDAS/OCD
- Demyelinating diseases
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Lifestyle Choices:
→ Treatments that rebuild and fortify a hyperpermeable intestinal barrier can aid in reversing or reducing autoimmune disease symptoms. Intestinal permeability syndrome is associated with autoimmune diseases and reversing symptoms of autoimmune diseases is accelerated with healing the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Vibrant’s Wheat Zoomer can accurately detect the presence of intestinal permeability syndrome.
→ Avoid exposure to heavy metals: Neurotoxicity of metals has been demonstrated widely. The CNS is particularly vulnerable to accumulation of these metals. The brain readily accumulates metals, which, under physiologic conditions, are incorporated into essential metalloproteins required for neuronal health and energy homeostasis. Severe consequences can arise from circumstances of excess essential metals or exposure to toxic nonessential metal.
→ Avoid exposure to mold or high mold/water-damaged environments: Mold neurotoxicity is an increasingly common occurrence that can cause memory deficits, difficulty concentrating, problems with language and reasoning, mental fatigue, depression, and anxiety.
→ Treat infections immediately: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, for example, is responsible for significant neurological morbidity, perhaps more than any other virus. Research indicates that as many as 45 million people in the United States have been infected with HSV-2, and the estimated incidence of new infection is 1 million annually.
Consider following programs that may help prevent and reverse the cognitive and physiological effects of neurological disorders, including but not limited to:
- Bredesen’s ReCODE (Reversal of Cognitive Decline) protocol, which is a comprehensive personalized program designed to improve cognition and reverse the cognitive decline of mild cognitive impairment, and early Alzheimer’s disease.
- The Wahls protocol
- Hormone therapy
- Physical therapy (e.g Mulligan technique, electrical stimulation)
- Yoga
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (e.g.: cupping therapy)
- Therapeutic taping (e.g.: Kinesiology taping)
- Blood flow restriction therapy
- Integrative dry needling
→ Consider regular sauna bathing, as studies show high frequency of sauna use lowers the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
→ Maintain a healthy lifestyle (healthy fat-rich and vegetable-heavy diet, omega-3-fatty acids, low sugar intake, quit smoking, regular exercise)
→ Consider taking supplements: Research indicates inflammation and free radical oxidative stress play major roles in the propagation of neurodegenerative diseases. A few supplements in particular have been found to mitigate damage caused by oxidative stress and/or reduce the activity of TNF and other inflammatory cytokine pathways:
- N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a precursor to glutathione, the body’s most important cellular antioxidant. NAC supplements have been shown to increase cellular glutathione levels.
- Vitamins B12, B6, and folate are metabolic cofactors important for cellular metabolism and maintenance of all tissue cell types, but particularly important to nerve cells. Deficiencies in B12 or folate can raise homocysteine levels, which have been associated with a higher risk for vascular disease and dementia.
- B12 absorption from the intestine tends to diminish with age. B12 deficiency can damage the nervous system leading to neuropathy, myelopathy, and dementia.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an essential cofactor in normal cellular metabolism and cellular energy production. The use of ALA as a supplement is under investigation, and has demonstrated improvements in peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer’s disease, and insulin-resistant type II diabetes.
- Vitamin C and vitamin E supplements can reverse symptoms caused by vitamin C and E deficiencies.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
Acetylcholine receptors are responsible for binding acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter for signal transduction in CNS. They are localized in neuromuscular junctions. Antibodies against acetylcholine receptor are found in myasthenia gravis disease, whi
Learn moreAcetylcholine receptors are responsible for binding acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter for signal transduction in CNS. They are localized in neuromuscular junctions. Antibodies against acetylcholine receptor are found in myasthenia gravis disease, whi
Learn moreAMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) is a compound that is a specific agonist for the AMPA receptor, where it mimics the effects of the neurotransmitter glutamate. In some epilepsies, antibodies to AMPA receptors leads to
Learn moreAntibodies against Amphiphysin occur in patients with paraneoplastic variant Stiff person syndrome but can also be seen in autoimmune encephalitis. Antibodies against Amphiphysin are associated with breast cancer and small cell lung cancer. Neurologi
Learn moreAntibodies against Amphiphysin occur in patients with paraneoplastic variant Stiff person syndrome but can also be seen in autoimmune encephalitis. Antibodies against Amphiphysin are associated with breast cancer and small cell lung cancer. Neurologi
Learn moreAntibodies to aquaporin 4 constitute a sensitive and highly specific serum marker of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) that can facilitate the differential diagnosis of NMO and classic multiple sclerosis. Neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory demyelina
Learn moreAntibodies to aquaporin 4 constitute a sensitive and highly specific serum marker of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) that can facilitate the differential diagnosis of NMO and classic multiple sclerosis. Neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory demyelina
Learn moreThe "Anti-Cerebellum" marker is a crucial test component designed to detect autoantibodies targeting the cerebellum, which is a part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, including posture, balance, coordination, an
Learn moreAnti-Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) antibodies, including both IgG and IgA classes, are autoantibodies targeting the CASPR2 protein, a component of the voltage-gated potassium channel complex located in the nervous system. The presence
Learn moreAnti-Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) antibodies of the IgM class are less commonly reported compared to their IgG counterparts but represent an important aspect of the immune response in certain autoimmune neurological disorders. CASPR2
Learn moreAnti-CV2 antibodies, encompassing both IgG and IgA immunoglobulin classes, target a neuronal protein known as CRMP-5 (Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 5). These antibodies are typically associated with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS),
Learn moreAnti CV2 antibodies are a group of antibodies that react with a 66 kd brain protein belonging to the family of CRMP proteins. The manifestations associated with anti CV2 antibodies include cerebellar degeneration, uveitis, and peripheral neuropathy,
Learn moreThe "Anti-Endothelin A Receptor" marker plays a critical role in the NeuralZoomer panel. Endothelin A receptor is a protein found on the surface of certain cells within the body and is involved in regulating various functions, including blo
Learn moreGlial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the major structural protein of the glial intermediate filament of astrocytes that forms part of the cytoskeleton of mature astrocytes and other glial cells, but is not found outside the CNS. Anti-GFAP is pro
Learn moreGlial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the major structural protein of the glial intermediate filament of astrocytes that forms part of the cytoskeleton of mature astrocytes and other glial cells, but is not found outside the CNS. Anti-GFAP is pro
Learn moreGlucose-regulating protein 78 (GRP78) is a molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that promotes folding and assembly of proteins, controls the quality of proteins, and regulates ER stress signaling through Ca2+ binding to the ER. In tu
Learn moreGlucose-regulating protein 78 (GRP78) is a molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that promotes folding and assembly of proteins, controls the quality of proteins, and regulates ER stress signaling through Ca2+ binding to the ER. In tu
Learn moreAnti-glycine receptor (GlyR) antibodies, including IgG and IgA classes, are autoantibodies directed against the glycine receptor, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor in the central nervous system. The presence of these antibodies is most commo
Learn moreAnti-glycine receptor (Anti-GlyR) antibodies of the IgM class are a type of autoantibody directed against glycine receptors in the central nervous system. Glycine receptors are crucial for the regulation of motor and sensory pathways due to their inh
Learn moreDetection of ganglioside M1 (GM1) antibodies, usually of the IgM isotype, is associated with multi-focal motor neuropathy and lower motor neuropathy, characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy. Multi-focal motor neuropathy may occur with or without
Learn moreDetection of ganglioside M1 (GM1) antibodies, usually of the IgM isotype, is associated with multi-focal motor neuropathy and lower motor neuropathy, characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy. Multi-focal motor neuropathy may occur with or without
Learn moreGM2 ganglioside is a potential peripheral nerve antigen for neuropathy-associated autoantibodies. Anti-GM2 IgM antibodies have been reported in some patients with dysimmune neuropathy or lower motor neuron syndrome, in whom they were often associated
Learn moreGM2 ganglioside is a potential peripheral nerve antigen for neuropathy-associated autoantibodies. Anti-GM2 IgM antibodies have been reported in some patients with dysimmune neuropathy or lower motor neuron syndrome, in whom they were often associated
Learn moreHerpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a member of the herpesvirus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. HSV-1 (which produces most cold sores) is ubiquitous and contagious. As a neurotropic and neuroinvasive virus, HSV-1 persists in the body by beco
Learn moreThe anti-Hu antibody is the most frequent manifestation of sensory neuropathy with frequent autonomic involvement. The clinical patterns of the neuropathies is in keeping with accordance with the cellular distribution of the HuD antigen. →&nb
Learn moreThe anti-Hu antibody is the most frequent manifestation of sensory neuropathy with frequent autonomic involvement. The clinical patterns of the neuropathies is in keeping with accordance with the cellular distribution of the HuD antigen. →&nb
Learn moreThe "Anti-Hydroxytryptamine" marker is an important indicator used to assess the potential for neurological disorders. Hydroxytryptamine, more commonly known as serotonin, is a crucial neurotransmitter in the human brain, playing a pivotal
Learn moreMyelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is a trans-membrane protein of both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin (= an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves), involved in the process of myelinat
Learn moreMyelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is a trans-membrane protein of both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin (= an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves), involved in the process of myelinat
Learn moreMicroglia are a type of macrophage located throughout the brain and spinal cord that act as the first and main form of active immune defense in the CNS. These markers indicate a destruction of the blood brain barrier and are found to play a role in t
Learn moreMicroglia are a type of macrophage located throughout the brain and spinal cord that act as the first and main form of active immune defense in the CNS. These markers indicate a destruction of the blood brain barrier and are found to play a role in t
Learn moreMuscle-specific kinase (MuSK) is a single-pass transmembrane protein that has a critical role in signaling between motor neurons and skeletal muscle. Anti-MuSK is an important marker in patients without anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in myast
Learn moreMuscle-specific kinase (MuSK) is a single-pass transmembrane protein that has a critical role in signaling between motor neurons and skeletal muscle. Anti-MuSK is an important marker in patients without anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in myast
Learn moreMyelin basic protein (MBP) is a protein believed to be important in the process of myelination of nerves in the nervous system. Anti-Myelin basic protein is related to the risk for multiple sclerosis, autism, PANDAS/ANDAS/OCD, and systemic lupus eryt
Learn moreMyelin basic protein (MBP) is a protein believed to be important in the process of myelination of nerves in the nervous system. Anti-Myelin basic protein is related to the risk for multiple sclerosis, autism, PANDAS/ANDAS/OCD, and systemic lupus eryt
Learn moreMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a glycoprotein associated with the myelination of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS). MOG is found in the myelin that insulates the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of
Learn moreMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a glycoprotein associated with the myelination of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS). MOG is found in the myelin that insulates the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of
Learn moreMyelin proteolipid protein (= PLP) is the major membrane protein of central nervous system (CNS) myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers and its expression is largely limited to oligodendrocytes (myelinating cells of the central n
Learn moreMyelin proteolipid protein (= PLP) is the major membrane protein of central nervous system (CNS) myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers and its expression is largely limited to oligodendrocytes (myelinating cells of the central n
Learn moreNeurofascin (NF) is a cell adhesion molecule (= cell adhesion molecules are transmembrane glycoproteins that enable cells to bind together and attach to the extracellular matrix). NF is expressed in both the CNS and the peripheral nervous sys
Learn moreNeurofascin (NF) is a cell adhesion molecule (= cell adhesion molecules are transmembrane glycoproteins that enable cells to bind together and attach to the extracellular matrix). NF is expressed in both the CNS and the peripheral nervous sys
Learn moreNeuron specific enolase is a protein enzyme that is encoded by the ENO2 gene. It is found in mature neurons and cells of neuronal origin. Antibodies against neuron specific enolase are found in patients with optical neuropathies (= damage inflic
Learn moreNeuron specific enolase is a protein enzyme that is encoded by the ENO2 gene. It is found in mature neurons and cells of neuronal origin. Antibodies against neuron specific enolase are found in patients with optical neuropathies (= damage inflic
Learn morePurkinje cells, or Purkinje neurons, are a class of GABAergic neurons located in the cerebellum. Purkinje cells are aligned like dominos stacked one in front of the other. Their large dendritic arbors form nearly two-dimensional layers through which
Learn moreAnti recoverin antibodies are one of the key components of antibody disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). They have also been shown to be associated with retinopathy, which is characterized by impaired vision and photosensitivity.
Learn moreAnti recoverin antibodies are one of the key components of antibody disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). They have also been shown to be associated with retinopathy, which is characterized by impaired vision and photosensitivity.
Learn moreThe presence of anti-Ri antibody identifies a subset of patients with paraneoplastic ataxia and eye movement disorders (opsoclonus) who usually suffer from breast or other gynecological cancer; the antibody when present is a useful marker for an unde
Learn moreThe presence of anti-Ri antibody identifies a subset of patients with paraneoplastic ataxia and eye movement disorders (opsoclonus) who usually suffer from breast or other gynecological cancer; the antibody when present is a useful marker for an unde
Learn moreThe S100B is a calcium-binding peptide and is used as a parameter of glial activation and/or death in many disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). It plays important roles in normal CNS development and recovery after injury. Although S100B
Learn moreThe S100B is a calcium-binding peptide and is used as a parameter of glial activation and/or death in many disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). It plays important roles in normal CNS development and recovery after injury. Although S100B
Learn moreThe marker "Anti-Streptococcal A (IgG)" is a specialized test designed to detect the presence of IgG antibodies against Streptococcus A bacteria in the blood. Streptococcus A is a type of bacteria that can cause various infections, ranging
Learn moreANTIBODIES ASSOCIATED WITH: This test by itself is not diagnostic for any condition or disease Alcoholic Liver Disease Demyelinating Disease Graves’ Disease Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Infectious agent exposure PANDAS / ANDAS / OCD
Learn moreANTIBODIES ASSOCIATED WITH: This test by itself is not diagnostic for any condition or disease Alcoholic Liver Disease Demyelinating Disease Graves’ Disease Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Infectious agent exposure PANDAS / ANDAS / OCD
Learn moreVoltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are a group of voltage-gated ion channels found in the membrane of excitable cells such as muscle, glial cells, and neurons. They are key transducers of membrane potential changes into intracellular Ca2+ transie
Learn moreThe marker "EBNA1 (IgG)" is a crucial indicator for assessing neurological health and potential autoimmune conditions affecting the nervous system. EBNA1 stands for Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1, and the IgG designation refers to Immunoglo
Learn moreThe Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) p18 IgG marker is a vital component of the NeuralZoomer Plus panel from Vibrant Wellness, designed to assess neurological health and the risk of autoimmunity. EBV, a widespread herpesvirus, infects most people at some poi
Learn moreThe marker "VCA gp125 (IgG)" is an important component of a comprehensive test that aims to detect potential neural autoimmunity, which can affect the nervous system and brain health. "VCA" stands for Viral Capsid Antigen, and &qu
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