Condition: Alzheimer’s disease (diagnosed by two neurologists)
Duration of illness: Progressive over several years
The Challenge
A 64-year-old woman, previously healthy, began exhibiting progressive memory loss and disorientation. Her primary care physician referred her for neurological evaluation. Two separate neurologists confirmed a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease after a workup that included brain MRI demonstrating mild cortical atrophy.
Baseline blood and urine testing were unremarkable. She was started on donepezil and memantine for cognitive support, with clonazepam for anxiety and sleep. She presented accompanied by her two adult daughters and husband, relying on one of them to assist with communication throughout the visit.
The Discovery
Her exposure history revealed a longstanding moisture issue in the kitchen, with visible mold repeatedly appearing beneath the sink and behind the refrigerator. Over the course of five years, these areas were treated multiple times with bleach. The repeated use of bleach not only contributed to the toxic environment but also failed to resolve the issue — the underlying moisture source was never addressed and the mold-damaged materials were not properly removed.
Testing & Findings
Given the prolonged indoor fungal exposure, IgG and IgE serum mycotoxin antibody testing was ordered through MyMycoLab. Results demonstrated elevations in 14 mycotoxins on both IgG and IgE, suggesting both colonization and ongoing environmental exposure. Vitamin D3 deficiency was also noted.
Physical examination revealed sluggish pupillary responses and globally diminished deep tendon reflexes.
Treatment & Outcome
At the three-week follow-up, her husband relocated the patient to a daughter’s home to live safely while recovering. The family arranged the sale of their water-damaged residence.
Environmental testing at the original home revealed significant mold growth in the crawl space and beneath the entryway, including high levels of Stachybotrys and Alternaria species.
Her daughter discovered Dr. Campbell’s work and the patient began treatment following Dr. Campbell’s paradigm. After one month of living away from the contaminated home, she began to show signs of improvement. Her gait showed an active heel strike, and her hand tremor had diminished. Although speech remained difficult, her ability to follow conversations improved noticeably.
At her seven-month follow-up, she reported feeling more like herself than she had in years. She had started physical therapy and was regaining strength rapidly. She spoke excitedly and felt she had a new lease on life — so much so that she considered returning to work to “stay busy.”
The Bigger Picture
Post-mortem examination of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease has revealed a significant presence of molds within brain tissue. Published research has linked mycotoxin exposure to the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Mycotoxins can cross the blood-brain barrier, first causing demyelination — a process that has been well established in the literature for decades.
This case illustrates a critical point: when the environmental source of exposure is identified and removed, and targeted treatment is initiated, even patients with advanced neurological symptoms can show meaningful improvement.