With colleagues from Argonne, Walsh began testing blood and urine samples of prisoners and ex-convicts. In 1976, he met the late neurobiologist and psychopharmacologist Carl Pfeiffer, a pioneer in brain chemistry research on schizophrenia, who suggested they take a close look at copper, zinc, manganese and histamine levels in both blood and hair tissue. Today, HRI has a research database of biochemical information from more than 10,000 patients with mental health problems. Prevention of violence may be as simple as one or two appointments a year. In just three hours at the clinic, a complete medical and social history is taken and comprehensive blood, urine and hair tissue analysis begun.
Doctors interpret the results and individualized nutrient therapy is recommended.
Within a month, the findings are sent to the patient or his parents. Vitamins and minerals needed to begin balancing each individual's brain chemistry are compounded into capsules at the clinic's pharmacy. Follow up testing is scheduled after three to six months and supplements adjusted. The center's Hope Fund, supported entirely by private donations, offers assistance to those who need treatment but cannot afford it. Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center are located at 1804 Centre Point Drive in Naperville, Illinois, approximately 45 minutes from Chicago's O'Hare Airport.