Correspondence With Dr. Deborah Mash of the University of Miami Brain Trust

 Dr. Mash,

    I have studied your research regarding Excited Delirium Syndrome (EDS) as a brain disease and possibly linked to one gene. I commend you and your staff for your commitment to the truth and how it helps remove the negative perceptions associated with in-custody death. As we discussed in late November, I am hoping to assist you in validating your research, as I believe the signs and symptoms of EDS and Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS) are strikingly similar: easily excitable, hyperthermia, abnormal breathing, skin discoloration, muscle tremors, abnormal vocalization and death in the presence of “rough handling” and stressors. In swine they have isolated one gene, known as a stress gene (officially trademarked as Hal-1843 by University of Toronto Innovations Foundation due to Halothane sensitivity), that has historically been a high frequency finding in non ambulatory and/or DOA swine post transport to slaughter. 

    Due to aggressive identification and eradication practices, the occurrence of this gene is on a decline. It still makes up a major percentage of non ambulatory and DOA swine on arrival at the slaughter facility and was found in roughly 11% of swine producing farms that participated in a 2006 study. Not only is there similarities in how EDS and PSS physiologically manifest as a response to stress, there is also a possible link with Halothane sensitivity. A small percentage of human test subjects presented with hyperthermia after being anesthetized with halothane. Though I was not able to determine any other side effects  that were observed during this particular study, it deserves further research. Halothane anesthesia in stress gene identified swine also present with signs and symptoms of PSS (hence, the naming of that gene).

    I have communicated with the owner of a lab that specializes in identifying the Hal-1843 gene in swine (this person also owns a company that does forensics testing for the FBI and other Law Enforcement agencies). The lab does not store samples, it merely tests and returns the results to the respective client. The owner stated that they can test human samples for this gene, their fee is $500.00. For further information on the Hal-1843 gene, he has referred me to the University of Illinois. While I attempt to learn more about what the Hal-1843 gene looks like and the cellular affects it has on the carrier,  I must defer some of my questions to you;

1. Is it possible that the stress gene in humans and swine interferes or is triggered by dopamine and excess epi and causes the massive breakdown at the cellular level?

2. With this line of reasoning, could CNS stimulants be simply facilitating an “animal” response in humans, i.e.; super strength, animal noises, reaction to reflections…?

3. Could this same gene impact the uptake and use of selenium and vitamin D which help protect cell wall integrity? 

4. Has there been any finding of accelerated rigor in subjects dying  from EDS? This has been one of the observations of death in PSS.

 

    I believe there is a high probability of a match of the gene you have isolated in humans and the Hal-1483 gene in swine. If there is not a match, there is still a wealth of information on PSS that can substantiate your findings and help develop policy that will be more successful in the field management of individuals presenting with agitated and/or combative behavior. The irony is that swine have also been used in an attempt to discredit Taser and the agencies and officers that deploy them on out of control suspects. I would be honored to be part of your research team. Please let me know if you would like me to continue this “leg work” and arrange for testing of any samples you have at the University.

Sincerely,

Michael W. Weaver

Team Tactics For The Combative Patient