In Is the Cure for Brain Disorders Outside the Brain?, Dr. Mark Hyman describes how brain, mood, and neurodegenerative disorders may not be primary, localized conditions, but systemic disorders which affect the brain. Dr. Hyman specifies that fundamental physiological processes such as inflammation, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, altered immunity, digestive disorders, mitochondrial dysfunction, toxins, oxidative stress, and altered cell bioenergetics are interconnected, interdependent systemic issues which should be explored when diagnosing and treating brain dysfunction. He further suggests that research and treatment of such systemic disturbances can facilitate the emergence of a new model of psychiatry, neurology and clinical neuroscience which would provide more comprehensive solutions than the current, linear pharmacological approach.

Dr. Hyman is Heart MD Institute's featured contributing editor.  Check out his article, The Right Order of Things: Peeling the Onion of Chronic Disease, for more information about a medicinal model focused upon treating systemic disorders.