Charlie's Neurological Model
Understanding why Charlie's neurons are hyperexcitable — and what we can do about it. This model explains the core mechanism behind many of his symptoms.
Neuron Diagram
Neuronal Excitability
The Gas Pedal & Brake Model
Every neuron has two systems that must balance
🟢 Healthy Neuron — Balanced
GAS PEDAL
VGCCs (Calcium Channels)
Let calcium in → neuron fires. Normal activation when needed.
Normal
Balanced
Fires when needed, stops when done
BRAKE
Kv7 / M-Current (Potassium)
Let potassium out → neuron calms. Stabilizes after firing.
Normal
🔴 Charlie's Neurons — Hyperexcitable
GAS STUCK ON
VGCCs Overactivated
Too much calcium flooding in → neurons fire excessively and can't stop.
⚠️ Overactive
Imbalanced!
Can't stop firing → symptoms
BRAKE DISABLED
Kv7 Channels Closed
Potassium can't flow → neurons have no way to calm down after firing.
⚠️ Impaired
Result: Hyperexcitable Neurons
With the gas pedal stuck and the brakes disabled, Charlie's neurons fire too easily, too often, and can't stop. This creates the rigidity, repetitive behaviors, sensory issues, and anxiety we see.
What's Causing This?
Confirmed and suspected causes from Charlie's labs and history
Mycotoxins
Trichothecene, gliotoxin, zearalenone — confirmed in labs
Both — opens VGCCs and closes Kv7 channels
Chronic Inflammation
hs-CRP went from 0.6 → 5.4 (9x increase)
Depletes PIP2, suppresses Kv7
Oxidative Stress
From mycotoxin damage and inflammation
Damages Kv7 channel proteins directly
EMF Exposure
Environmental — not yet addressed
Activates VGCCs directly
Hormonal Disruption
Zearalenone is estrogenic
Disrupts signaling, may affect channel regulation
How Kv7 Channels Work (The Brake)
Why PIP2 is so critical
🔑
PIP2
A membrane lipid that acts as the “key” — Kv7 channels NEED PIP2 to stay open
🔒
Kv7 Channel
The “lock” — when PIP2 binds, potassium flows out and neurons calm down
💨
K+ Outflow
Potassium leaving = neuron becomes less excitable = the brake works
⚠️ Charlie's Problem:
- •Mycotoxins destroy PIP2 and damage channel proteins directly
- •Inflammation consumes PIP2 faster than it can be replenished
- •Only getting ~25mg inositol (PIP2 precursor) — needs 2,000-3,000mg/day
- •Possible KCNQ1 (Kv7.1) genetic mutation — testing status unknown
Brain Regions & Symptoms
How hyperexcitability manifests in different areas
Prefrontal Cortex
Executive function overload — circuits can't switch off
Basal Ganglia
Motor pattern circuits stuck in loops
Thalamus
Sensory gating overwhelmed — too much input gets through
Hippocampus
Memory circuits over-firing — anxiety loops form
Treatment Strategy Tracker
See what's being addressed and where the gaps are →