Other cases described in Peskin's book could be solved with surgery. Doctors still don't know why Mike's immune system went rogue Mike had become numb to the molecule's relaxing effects, and the antibodies blocking it continued to attack his nerves until he couldn't control his muscle spasms. "For our neurons, sensing a burst of glycine is akin to drinking chamomile tea and taking an Ativan," Peskin wrote. Another doctor confirmed his theory with a spinal tap, which revealed curious antibodies in the patient's spinal fluid. Greg McCarthy suspected that Mike's receptors for glycine, a vital neurotransmitter, were blocked. He spent about half a year bouncing between hospitals and rehabilitation centers, until finally one neuropsychologist had an idea of what might be wrong.ĭr. He developed muscle contractions so severe that doctors had to restrain and intubate him. Mike's symptoms escalated when the couple got home. He couldn't remember what happened the following morning, but he knew he didn't propose. On one night that Peskin described in detail, Amy called security after Mike punched a hole in the wall of their hotel room.
His girlfriend noticed his movements were stiffer than usual, and his temper changed entirely.
A molecule blocked a vital receptor required for relaxationĪn army of Mike's antibodies had latched onto an important set of receptors that run from the base of the brain down the spinal cord. His immune system had created an antibody that blocked his ability to relax and eventually caused violent, full-body spasms. One section of the book covers "rebellious proteins," which is what caused Mike's tense demeanor. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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