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Microbial Imbalances

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. “High levels of glutamate may increase the survival of unfriendly microbes in the gut and contribute to problems like excess acid and heartburn.” (http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/how-to-increase-gaba-and-balance-glutamate/) “Additionally, Candida produces a toxin called beta alanine that competes with taurine for reabsorption in the kidney, and causes taurine to be wasted in the kidneys and excreted through the urine and beta alanine is absorbed instead. Therefore, taurine levels may be insufficient, which can contribute to less GABA activity. Not only that, taurine can combine with [...]

Microbial Imbalances2019-09-16T14:40:58-04:00

Methylation

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. “Methylation also plays a role in the GABA and glutamate balance in a variety of ways. For one, if there is impairment in the methylation pathway, then folate doesn’t get utilized and it can break down into glutamate. Additionally, if you are not methylating properly you may not be able to suppress microbes like viruses or make enough T cells to fight them off, which means they will linger around to interfere with the GAD enzyme. Methylation may be impaired due [...]

Methylation2019-09-16T14:40:17-04:00

Heavy Metals

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. “Our review suggests that most autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk factors are connected, either directly or indirectly, to immunoexcitotoxicity. Chronic brain inflammation is known to enhance the sensitivity of glutamate receptors and interfere with glutamate removal from the extraneuronal space, where it can trigger excitotoxicity over a prolonged period. Neuroscience studies have clearly shown that sequential systemic immune stimulation can activate the brain’s immune system, microglia, and astrocytes, and that with initial immune stimulation, there occurs CNS microglial priming. Children are [...]

Heavy Metals2019-09-16T14:38:45-04:00

Fragile X

“Reducing glutamate signaling pays off in fragile X” https://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v14/n3/full/nm0308-249.html “This has become a long-standing unanswered question in the fragile X field, which is also relevant to autism pathogenesis. Our current study generated astrocyte-specific Fmr1 conditional knock-out and restoration mice, and provided compelling evidence that the selective loss of astroglial FMRP contributes to cortical synaptic deficits in FXS, likely through the dysregulated astroglial glutamate transporter GLT1 expression and impaired glutamate uptake. These results demonstrate previously undescribed astrocyte-mediated mechanisms in the pathogenesis of FXS.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27383586 “We observed significantly reduced levels of protein for FMRP in adults with autism, significantly increased [...]

Fragile X2019-09-16T14:33:22-04:00

Dyslexia

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. There seems to be growing evidence that excess glutamate is also involved with dyslexia. " The first theory suggests that dyslexia might be a consequence of neuronal hyperexcitability, which contributes to learning deficits by heightened noise and instability in information processing3. This theory emphasizes the importance of balanced levels of excitation and inhibition within cortical pyramidal-interneuron networks, which support tuning to sensory input, neural timing, and information processing. Excitation–inhibition balance and the precise timing of neural activity can be disrupted by [...]

Dyslexia2019-12-03T14:14:18-05:00

Brain Injury & Trauma

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. “The window of post-traumatic epileptogenesis, as well as the post-TBI window of vulnerability to a second injury, extends beyond the acute period. The pathophysiology that follows in the days, weeks and months after injury involve compensatory processes of receptor up and down regulation, alterations in subunit composition and a growing imbalance of glutamate driven excitation and GABA mediated inhibition. A recent study by Cantu and colleagues highlights the early phases of this imbalance in glutamate and GABA and points to mechanisms [...]

Brain Injury & Trauma2019-09-16T14:29:51-04:00

Autism & Sensory Processing Disorder

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. See immune function, mitochondrial dysfunction, microbial imbalances, seizures, ADHD, speech & language, movement disorders, sensory processing disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, methylation, metals, and EMF’s tab for additional information related to glutamate and autism. Favorite article on the role of glutamate in autism: http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/how-to-increase-gaba-and-balance-glutamate/ Great article linking autism symptoms to excess glutamate and glutamate dysfunction: http://www.ageofautism.com/2011/03/autism-and-glutamate-dysfunction-avoid-the-cause-race-to-the-cure.html Amazing flowchart on how free glutamate affects autism spectrum disorder, by Carol Hoernlein of MSG Truth http://www.msgtruth.org/images/Theory%20of%20Autism-Simplified.pdf Here is a great video on methylation and the role of glutamate in [...]

Autism & Sensory Processing Disorder2023-08-16T18:25:32-04:00

Anxiety & Depression

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. Ever hear people talk about their need for Xanax to relax or calm their anxiety? Xanax and other benzodiazepine pharmaceutical options (Valium works similarly) help to temporarily restore balance between glutamate and GABA by artificially increasing GABA. This increase in GABA calms the over excitation from excess  glutamate, acting as a mild sedative. Unfortunately, artificially increasing GABA through the use of these pharmaceuticals will actually decrease natural production of GABA, only intensifying the problem. One of the best ways to naturally increase [...]

Anxiety & Depression2019-09-27T20:41:32-04:00

Alzheimers

“Troriluzole is a drug that modulates glutamate, protecting against neuron loss," the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study said in a release. "Glutamate problems in the brain can lead to brain cell dysfunction and disease, including Alzheimer’s disease."http://fox17.com/news/local/new-alzheimers-drug-tested-at-vanderbilt-seeks-to-slow-or-stop-memory-loss “Article says that new research shows that a lack of glutamate receptors is associated with Alzheimer's.  Put that together with the fact that glutamate receptors can be killed off by ingesting free glutamic acid (MSG) and you've got MSG causing Alzheimer's.”https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/alzheimers-epigenetic-treatment-mice "Excitotoxicity resulting from excessive activation of NMDA receptors may enhance the localized vulnerability of neurons in a manner consistent with [...]

Alzheimers2019-09-27T20:35:50-04:00

ADHD & Hyperactivity

As an excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate is behind ADD/ADHD.  Glutamate is also the most abundant neurotransmitter, responsible for regulating over 50% of the nervous system. It is classified as an excitatory neurotransmitter, which means it excites or stimulates nerve cells located throughout the nervous system. As you can imagine, when the brain is overexcited, it will lead to an increase in hyperactivity, impulsivity, and impact movement and motor control.  When glutamate is in excess it is extremely toxic to the brain and nervous system. It can become so excitatory, it is considered an excitotoxin, which means that it [...]

ADHD & Hyperactivity2019-09-16T14:22:46-04:00
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