THE KOMER BRAIN SCIENCE INSTITUTE
Many head injuries have a hormonal component and treatment of this problem has almost never been addressed by neurologists or therapists. There has been increasing interest in brain injuries and concerns about their long-term ramifications such as the increased risk of Parkinson’s Disease, dementia and CTE. To meet the need and demand for better treatment models, we have launched a specific clinic for traumatic brain injuries. Given my experience in restoring hormones and my long career of treating athletic injuries including concussions (Women’s Team Canada Lacrosse, Men’s Team Canada Lacrosse twice, and Toronto Rock Professional Lacrosse Team 17 years) , the clinic is a natural evolution.
I do not believe that any one person can treat all aspects of concussions. Head injuries can include deterioration of hormone levels, significant visual processing problems, neck and back injuries and vestibular issues (balance) For that reason, and because of our experience in working with other health professionals, we have formed a network of very experienced individuals. This includes experts in Visual Assessment and Therapy, Interventional Pain Management and Rehabilitation Medicine and a Sports Medicine colleague who specializes in assessing and treating the non-hormonal aspects of traumatic brain injuries.
Each injury is unique; it will require its own specific proportion of assessment and treatment by each of us in the group. This approach has led to successful outcomes for many suffering patients that we have treated.
I have presented our new approach and treatment protocols at the following meetings. They were received with great interest.
A New Frontier for Diagnosis and Treatment: Posttraumatic Brain Injury Hormone Deficiency Syndrome at the Brain Injury Canada Annual Conference in Montréal, October 1, 2015
A Paradigm Shift in Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury at the Ontario Acquired Brain Injury 2015 Provincial Conference, Niagara Falls on November 13, 2015
My treatment centers around two major factors:
- brain inflammation and free radical damage
- hormone deficiencies
Brain Inflammation and Free Radical Damage
Phase 1 of traumatic brain injuries/ concussions always result in some cell death. The amount is dependent on the type and severity of the initial injury.
Phase 2 consists of other secondary cascades of inflammation and free radical damage that smolder for years. These cause progressive damage to the brain leading to both psychological and cognitive impairments.
Hormonal Deficiencies
Disruption of the hypothalamic – pituitary axis has been documented in the acute phase of TBI with 80% of patients showing evidence of gonadotropin deficiency, 18% with growth hormone deficiency, 16% with corticotrophin deficiency and 40% with vasopressin abnormalities. Studies have shown that some of these early abnormalities are transient, whereas new endocrine dysfunctions become apparent in the post-acute phase. Without treatment, at 3 months after the brain injury, 56% of patients have pituitary dysfunction and abnormal hormone levels. At one year, 36% of patients persist with abnormal hormones. (Journal of Endocrinology Investigation 2005:28 Popovic et al)
Brain injury leads to a toxic environment in the brain that makes it difficult or impossible to heal. Part of our treatment protocol is to induce a neuro-permissive environment that reduces inflammation and free radical toxicity. This allows the brain to heal. After brain injury, steroids like progesterone and its metabolites can exert protective effects on neurons glial cells by preventing cerebral edema, necrosis, apoptosis and inflammation, while enhancing neuronal regenerative mechanisms.
In addition, after the acute injury there is vasospasm and decreased oxygenation. Drugs that cause vasodilatation may be helpful here.
The aims of our treatment protocols are to:
- control inflammation
- enhance neuronal survival and neuro protection
- stimulate recovery
- replenish hormones
Treatment Protocols
These include, but are not limited to, fairly high doses of vitamin D, which is anti-inflammatory and brain protective, 3000 mg of omega-3 oils which cross the blood brain barrier and are anti-inflammatory, melatonin which is a great brain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and magnesium which can be helpful for mood and memory. There are other nutrients and substances that we are presently assessing in our treatment protocols.
The Cornerstone of the Komer Method is the attitude that ONLY OPTIMAL IS ACCEPTABLE. Many lab ranges are very wide and are accepted as “normal”. Large portions of these ranges include levels that are far from ideal. We have developed our own set of optimal ranges and strive to achieve these in each patient.
Dr. Larry Komer
Great news! The Komercare Clinics are accepting new patients for brain health. Contact your physician for a referral to the Komercare Clinics. We look forward to serving you! 905-639-2571
Protect Your Brain and Heart
Concussion Seminar
The Komer Method
The CORNERSTONE of The Komer Method is the attitude that only OPTIMAL is acceptable.
This encompasses optimal levels for hormones, blood chemistry, nutrients, supplements, nutrition, exercise and behavior for each individual.
Many lab ranges are very wide and are accepted as “normal”. Large portions of these ranges include levels that are far from ideal. The Komer Method has developed its own set of optimal ranges, and strives to achieve these for each patient.
When physicians treat abnormal blood sugars or high cholesterol or high blood pressure, they choose the ideal standard as the levels for a healthy young adult. However, when the same physicians correct abnormal hormone levels, they do not follow this practice. In fact, they will accept aging and deterioration of hormone levels as a normal event. Dr. Komer’s belief, and what has worked so successfully in his practice, is that achieving these optimum levels at any age fine tunes the body to minimize the effects of age, time and stress. These levels result in men and women who are their healthiest. They lead to a reduction in long term illness and an increase in wellbeing.
These optimal values have been developed over years of experience, by research by Dr. Komer and others, and by patients reporting back what makes them feel their very best.
The Komer Method has developed its own protocols for diagnosis and for treatment for various conditions, and these have been tested and improved in thousands of individuals. Innovation and continuous improvement of all protocols is ongoing. Medical literature is reviewed daily to integrate new research into The Komer Method.
A major emphasis of the Komer Method has been dedicated to achieving ideal hormone levels in both genders, for such conditions as menopause in women and low testosterone in men.
Dr. Komer also treats other individuals, including both pro and amateur athletes, suffering from concussions or injuries. He has a particularly large percentage of men and women who are in the military, are police officers, correctional officers or firefighters. These professions involve stress and long hours and sometimes trauma, which can lead to abnormal hormone levels. There is especially a need for understanding, assessment and treatment of these individuals.
Dr. Komer has been an innovator in bringing new techniques and new ideas to medicine and has, at times, stood alone in championing ideas that have turned out to be leading edge concepts in medicine. In his personal practice, he has over 12,000 women and 5,000 men in his program who are reaping the benefits of hormone restoration. They are feeling well and happy, functioning optimally and staying healthy.
Restoring Hormones And Neurotransmitters To Improve Brain Function
Located in Burlington, Ontario The Komer Brain Science Institute is leading in the quest to understand the science of brain function with a special focus on the role of hormones and neurotransmitters in healthy brain activity.
Led by long-time expert in hormone therapies for women and men, Dr. Larry Komer, MD, the Komer Brain Science Institute is using newly developed tools to explore ways to reconnect people to some of the lost potential caused by aging, disease and especially injury.
With an aging population this represents an important focus for generations who will find new challenges caused in the changes in brain function during the aging process.
New concerns about the long-term effects of concussion caused in sports, motor-vehicle accidents and other head injuries makes this area of study important for our youth and middle-aged community as well as seniors.
The Komer Clinics
Women’s Health
For more than 40 years, Dr. Komer has been a champion of women’s health and wellness. In addition to treating the full-range of women’s health needs, the clinic has successfully treated over 10,000 women with hormonal problems. This alleviates their menopausal symptoms, decreasing their risk of degenerative disease and cancer, and greatly improving their overall health.
Komer Women’s Centre
Men’s Health
The Masters Men’s Clinic is now the largest clinic in Canada diagnosing, treating and doing research on testosterone deficiency syndrome (Low testosterone) . The clinic has now assessed and treated more than 5000 patients, restoring vitality, happiness and health.
Master Men’s Clinic
Professional Education
Dr. Komer’s work includes presentations to healthcare practitioners and researchers on the clinic’s research and the latest in understanding in women’s heath, men’s health and brain health.
Corporate Consulting
The Komer Clinics consult with corporations, insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry to develop wellness programmes and to further research on the applications of The Komer Method to various areas of healthcare.
If you would like to learn more about The Komer Brain Science Institute to learn what Dr. Komer and the team are doing and how it might help you or a loved one, please contact us.