GABA - Sallieann

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Sallieann,

Quick reply, basically a comment on the GABA issue - meds such as benzos

enhance natural GABA, therefore enhancing the 'quitening down' process as

far as the central nervous system and seizures is concerned. (as a lot of us

here already know tho', the other receptors are unfortunately dulled as

well) If enhanced on a regular basis, natural GABA can, through a

compensatory mechanism, reduce, meaning that as the natural level reduces,

more and more of the artificial enhancer (ie - benzos) can be required to

maintain the same level of seizure control - ie - tolerance has developed.

When withdrawing off benzos, the 'enhanced' GABA level reduces, and until

the blood level stabilises after each reduction, the 'natural' GABA level is

left in a state of often being too low for seizure control - hence the

common scenario of benzo withdrawal seizures, which unfortunately, many

neuros still interpret incorrectly, as a sign that the benzo is 'needed' for

seizure control.

Haven't dissected the rest of the post re glutamate yet, 'cos quite

honestly, I haven't got it in me to think that deeply right now !!!!

Mebbe I will be able to one day soon, have a stack of messages again, will

not delete any at the mo, hoping I can get back to them in the near future,

Glutamate

> *Hi everyone,

>

> *I am currently doing a diploma in epilepsy, I was asked a question. What

is

> GABA?

>

> *This was taken from a basic text book:

> The most important known inhibitory neurotransmitter is

> Gamma-Amino-Butyric-Acid. Excitatory transmission seems to be dependant

on

> amino acids, of which glutamate is the most well known..It is possible

that

> the lack or excess of neurotransmitters may play a part in the disruption

of

> the process of neuronal transmission and thus lead to epileptic seizure.

>

> KEYWORD-glutamate =

> Glutamate and nutrition:

> Glutamate a common amino acid, is found in abundance in nature. It's a

> natural component in virtually all protein-containing foods, such as meats

> fish, milk (including human milk) and many vegetables. Glutamate is also

> produced by the human body, and is an essential link in human metabolism.

A

> major function of amino acids in the body is to serve as building blocks

for

> proteins. The body has to synthesise nearly all the glutamate that is

> needed. This specially so for the brain where glutamate is used as a

> neurotransmitter. The blood brain barrier that controls the type of

> molecules that enter the brain, does not allow the passage of glutamate,

so

> the brain has to make it's own glutamate from glucose and other amino

acids.

> The brain uses glucose as its main source of energy, and it could be said

> that the intestine, by using glutamate as its main energy source, is

leaving

> the glucose for the brain.

> **But what if the main source of energy isn't glucose but fat (ketogenic

> diet) and the brain uses this extra source of energy to produce glutamate

> derived from consumed food, does that mean that our children are lacking

in

> the ability to produce these essential amino acids? Which by the way only

> occur naturally and in my opinion can never be mimicked with GABA reactive

> AEDs, such as the benzodiazipes (possibly the reason why our children are

so

> reliant on these). limictal, epilim and topiramate are also believed to

> have an effect on GABA, essentially glutamate (If my theory is correct

you

> would have seen a reduction in seizures initially but tolerance soon

follows)

> There is much more to come including the link between soy sauce and

aspartame

> being a derivative of Monosodium glutamate and proof that it is directly

> linked to increased seizures. Any feedback would be great

> Sallieann