SEARCH
   REWARDS

AEX Blog: Teresa's Corner

Balancing GABA and Glutamate
Teresa Badillo
/ Categories: Biomedical

Balancing GABA and Glutamate

There are many neurotransmitters (NT) implicated in autism, but GABA and glutamate are simply not talked about enough. Although this subject may seem complicated and complex, it warrants a basic understanding because it is a key piece to the autism puzzle. Both the nervous system and the neurological system are severely impacted by GABA/glutamate imbalances, triggering a myriad of symptoms known to be associated with autism. Excessive glutamates overstimulate the nervous system and produce adverse neurological symptoms which affect mood, energy levels, mental stability, speech, motor skills, sleep, resilience and hormonal function. What is important about both GABA and glutamate is balance. In a normal functioning immune system balance is possible; however, in the case of children with autism who have an overactive immune system, glutamates are in excess of GABA in the brain which can trigger excitotoxicity and produce many of the neurological symptoms attributed to autism. Therefore, autism is considered a hyper-glutamate condition. Reducing the glutamates and increasing the GABA is the way to go; but not always an easy task!

Understanding Glutamate

Glutamate is stimulating and known as a primary excitatory NT. We need glutamate to stimulate our brain cells to help us talk, think, process and learn information, focus and concentrate, and store information in long and short term memory. However, excess glutamate in the brain is a contributing factor for many issues related to autism:

• Increased risk of stroke and seizures
• Primary contributing factor found in autism, Tourette’s, PANDAS, insomnia, bedwetting, hyperactivity, OCD, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders and STIMS - self-stimulatory behaviors such as rocking, pacing, body spinning, hand-flapping, lining up or spinning toys, echolalia, repeating phrases, repetitive body movements
• Increased eosinophils (type of white blood cell) which result in inflammation and impair areas of the brain such as the hypothalamus, hippocampal neurons and purkinjie neurons which all affect speech and language
• Mercury in the body becomes more toxic
• Glutamates cause opioid release in the brain triggering feelings of spaciness
• Depletes glutathione levels which are necessary for detoxification, reducing inflammation and supporting gut health
• May increase survival of unwanted microbes in the gut and contribute to excess acid and heartburn
• Leads to too much acetylcholine causing a chronic state of stress, bladder contractions and strabismus (right and left eyes are not balanced which indicates a processing problem of the right and left hemispheres in the brain)

Understanding GABA

GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) is known as an inhibitory NT and its primary role is to calm the brain, slow down ‘racy’ feelings and relax the body. GABA is able to complete this task by increasing ‘alpha wave’ production in the brain. GABA is responsible for executing the following:

• Speech and language production – comprehension, conversation and pause and space between words
• Supporting sensory integration
• GABA receptors in the GI tract are important for bowel contraction to avoid constipation, abdominal pain and impaired transit
• Supporting healthy levels of IgA (antibodies that protect the gut and other mucous linings from harmful foreign toxic matter) which supports the immune system
• Reduced GABA causes anxiety, panic disorders, aggressive behaviors, decreased eye contact, anti-social behavior, attention deficit, eye focusing towards the nose, GERD (acid reflux) and sugar and carb cravings.
• Found in almost every area of the brain and in very high levels in the hypothalamus. Hypothalamus requires GABA production to regulate sleep, appetite, body temperature, thirst, sexual arousal and desire; plus action of the pituitary and HPA axis
• Regulating the automatic nervous system which maintains balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic (fight or flight) systems. Depleted GABA can contribute to adrenal fatigue, insomnia, chemical sensitivities, Chronic Fatigue and panic attacks.

What Causes GABA and Glutamate Imbalance?

There are a multitude of factors going on in the brain that contribute to the excessive glutamate and reduced GABA in children with autism. Excessive glutamates in the brain are supposed to convert to GABA automatically through an enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). This conversion through GAD in children with autism is impaired due to the following interfering factors:

• Too many glutamates is believed to be the primary issue
• Rubella virus found in the MMR vaccine can reduce GAD as much as 50% which is why many children lose their speech and exhibit symptoms of autism after this vaccine
• Chronic viral infections can flourish in a high glutamate environment and so many children with autism and PANDAS have on-going strep infections
• Impaired methylation – (folate doesn’t get utilized breaks down into glutamate) due to nutritional deficiencies, toxins, genetic mutations, Candida overgrowth, and problems with the Krebs cycle all effect GABA production
• Pancreas problems will impair GAD – type 1 diabetes and autism
• Lead toxicity
• Lack of B6
• Glutamate receptors in the brain pull other excitatory substances into the cells such as aspartate, aspartame, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, monosodium glutamate (MSG), cysteine (but not NAC), and homocysteine which result in excessive glutamate and over-stimulation in the brain
• Excess calcium in the body and glutamate together can cause on-going firing of neurons becoming a vicious cycle resulting in neural inflammation and cell death (better known as excitotoxicity) Glutamate is the gun while calcium is the bullet!

How to Reduce Glutamates and Increase GABA

• L-Taurine, Gotu Kola and Valerian root increase GAD and consequently GABA in the brain
• Increase magnesium levels to offset calcium levels and stop glutamate firing.
• Increase serotonin – 5 HTP and increase gut flora with probiotics and fermented foods
• Increase animal protein and fat – many children with autism do not have enough fat in their diet and may have low cholesterol
• Reduce sugar, whole grains, high starchy food, caffeine, chocolate, artificial sweeteners and flavorings, food additives, and dyes
• Try the Ketogenic or Modified Atkins Diet (if seizures) or Paleo diet are ideal…go organic!
• Eliminate toxins in household products, foods, daily living and environment
• Limited Electromagnetic Smog (EMFs) in your house
• Caution GABA supplements may convert back to glutamine and then glutamate. Any type of conversion indicates a leaky gut.
• Reduce Candida overgrowth because Candida converts to glutamate
• Eliminate excitotoxins and glutamates in the diet – very important!
• Eliminate gluten and casein which have glutamates
• Bone broth is high in glutamate
• Glutathione has glutamate (limit) and vitamin D3 increases calcium
• Drugs that target GABA receptors like Ativan, Xanax, Klonapin, Valium and Gabapentin will deplete the neurotransmitter GABA and affect the ability to maintain and balance GABA

The best advice is to talk to your child’s doctor (or seek out a MAPS physician) about potential GABA/Glutamate issues and discuss testing and treatments.
Previous Article Identification and Treatment of Pathophysiological Comorbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder to Achieve Optimal Outcomes
Next Article Why Does My Child Not Talk?
Print
2094 Rate this article:
No rating
Tags: AutismGABAglutamatesymptomsand imbalance
Teresa Badillo

Teresa Badillo Teresa Badillo

In the early 90’s, Teresa Badillo's son was diagnosed with autism. Since then, she has embarked on a mission to find alternative biomedical, sensory, and educational solutions for autism. In 1995 she won a court case that approved the first ABA school paid by the Rockland County school district.

Other posts by Teresa Badillo
Contact author Full biography

Full biography

Teresa Badillo graduated from the University of Toronto and worked at the Japanese Embassy in Rome as a speech writer. In the early 90’s one of her children was diagnosed with autism. Since then, she has embarked on a mission to find alternative biomedical, sensory, and educational solutions for autism. In 1995 she won a court case that approved the first ABA school paid by the Rockland County school district. Teresa has served on several Boards of Director (BOD) including Foundation for Children with Developmental Disabilities, The Autism Autoimmunity Project and Developmental Delay Resources. She currently serves on the BOD for Epidemic Answers and does research for the Autism Exchange.

x

    Please login or register to post comments.

    Name:
    Email:
    Subject:
    Message:
    x