Manganese, Chemical Imbalances & Violence
The Violence Research Foundation is dedicated to exploring the link between chemical imbalances in the brain and the propensity of individuals to engage in aberrant, violent behavior. VRF is an advocate for public policies that reduce such behavior. Dr. Vernon Mark, a former chief of neurosurgery at Harvard University has been quoted as saying: “violence…is a malaise of society and an ailment of the mind and a sickness of the body as distinct and as definite as cancer or leprosy”. An individual cannot be ADHD (attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder) without a dopamine dysregulation. 4% of the US population is ADHD but over 50% of those in the US criminal justice system are ADHD.
This Foundation funds research to discern the relationship between human behavior and abnormal levels of trace minerals and elements in the brain. VRF has a particular interest in neurotoxicity induced by manganese exposure because scientific research has correlated excess manganese exposure to an increase in abberrant, violent behavior. It also supports initiatives to balance the dietary intakes of prison inmates who are violence prone in order to reduce that propensity.
Studies
Professor Rodger Masters
Several studies by Professor Rodger Masters
Abnormalities in Hair Trace Elements as Indicators of Aberrant Behavior
Louis A. Gottschalk, MD, PH.D
![[download pdf]](/files/vrf/images/pdficon.gif)
ViewLouis A. Gottschalk, MD, PH.D, Chair, Dept of Psychiatry, University of California, Irvine collected head hair samples from repeat aberrant, violent criminals in California jails and prisons. Dr. Gottschalk was looking for a "metal marker" and as reported in 1990 in the peer review journal, "Comprehensive Psychiatry", manganese was 300% higher in the head hair of aberrant,violent criminals vs. 11 % in non-aberrant, violent matched criminals.
Reduced Violent Behavior Following Biochemical Therapy
Dr. William Walsh
ViewHead hair samples from individuals with violent histories in Statesville Penitentiary exhibited "weird" metal patterns. One of the metals found in these head hair samples, in excess of normal, was manganese.
A Controlled Trial of the Effect of Vitamin-Mineral Supplemention on the Incidence of Serious Institutional Rule Violations
Stephen Schoenthaler
ViewIn 1989 California Governor Deukmejian signed Senator Robert Presley's SBI07 into law. This bill allowed a nutritional intervention controlled study in the California Youth Authority with 450 inmates participating, and had a 5-year window. The study was controlled and jointly managed by UC-Berkeley and Cal State-Stanislaus. This six-month nutritional intervention generated a statistically significant 38% decrease in Level B offenses. Each Level B offense adds 3.7 months on to an inmate's prison sentence. The cost of the nutrients to this one group of 143 participants for six months was approximately $10,000. Existing staff participated in the administration of the nutrients. The estimated cost savings to the State of California was $110,000 during this six-month period.
Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behavior of young adult prisoners
Dr. Bernard Gesch, et al
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Dietary supplementation with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids reduce antisocial behavior of young adult prisoners
Dr. Bernard Gesch, et al.
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Dr. Schoenthaler comments on a paper by Dr. Gesch
Dr. Stephen Schoenthaler
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The Effect of Vitamin-Mineral Supplementation on Juvenile Delinquency Among American Schoolchildren
Randomized Vitamin-Mineral Supplementation on Violent and Non-violent Antisocial Behavior Among Incarcerated Juveniles
Dr. Stephen Schoenthaler, et al.
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A 30 Year Prospective Follow-Up Study of Hyperactive Boys With Conduct Problems: Adult Criminality
Dr. James Satterfield, et al
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Prediction of Antisocial Behavior in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Boys from Aggression/Defiance Scores
Dr. James Satterfield, et al.
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Manganese inhibits NMDA receptor channel function: Implications to psychiatric and cognitive effects
Dr. Tomas Guilarte, et al.
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Articles
The Chemistry of Violence
Jim Wilson
ViewResearch done by Professor Rodger Masters and others suggests that
neurotoxic metal pollution significantly contributes to rates of violent
crime. There is solid scientific evidence that both manganese and lead
could alter brain chemistry in a way that causes learning
disabilities, poor impulse control and aggressive behavior. In
counties across the United States where toxic releases of manganese and
lead are present the violent crime rate increases substantially.
"Manganese Madness" Clues to the Aetiology of Human Brain Disease Emergers From a Geological Anomaly
John Donaldson PhD.
View"It has been known for some time that there is a link between brain chemistry and aggression. Evidence that manganese maybe involved in the neurobiology of aggression is accumulating."
Exposure to Manganese May Contribute to Parkinson's Disease
U.C. Santa Cruz
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Interviews
Interview with Dr. William Walsh
Dr. William Walsh
ViewDr William Walsh is the current director of the Walsh Research Institute.
He serves on the advisory board for The Association for Comprehensive NeuroTherapy. (ACN), a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to exploring advanced and alternative non-toxic treatments for: anxiety, autism, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, tics and Tourette syndrome, and learning disabilities. In this interview from ACN’s newsletter, ”Latitudes”, Dr. Walsh describes the biochemical therapy he has developed as a “correction of innate or acquired chemical imbalances using amino acids, minerals and other biochemicals naturally present in the body”. In his work with thousand of patients and in research studies the biochemical therapy has significantly reduced and/or eliminated symptoms of behavior disorders such as autism, ADHD, and violence.
