| As potential Autism causes go, Insulin Resistance | | | | physical health could not be more critical. It is |
| (IR) doesn't get much recognition from the | | | | GABA that enables us to be calmed when we are |
| established medical community. Swimming in a | | | | excited, to sleep when we are alert, and to |
| virtual sea of causation theories, IR's cries for | | | | reverse mood before it becomes hysterical. |
| attention are drowned out by the frantic buzz | | | | Without GABA, joy would always lead to |
| around vaccinations, food allergies, and other, | | | | euphoria, anger would be experienced as rage, |
| simpler concepts. Though the connection between | | | | and energized agitation would prevent learning and |
| IR and Autism PDD may be difficult to | | | | development. Autistic children with severe |
| comprehend, similarities between the two | | | | behavioral and social impairment commonly |
| conditions beg for further investigation. | | | | experience a similar over-stimulated state on a |
| Insulin Resistance is a metabolic disorder where | | | | daily basis. They also commonly experience GABA |
| cells in the body do not respond to insulin as | | | | deficiency. |
| quickly or efficiently as they should. Insulin is | | | | Disruption of the GABAergic process is common |
| released into the blood stream when blood | | | | amongst individuals with Autism Spectrum |
| glucose levels rise. Its job is to alert certain | | | | Disorders. Research conducted by the Cohen |
| receptor cells to accept glucose as nutrient from | | | | Institute for Advanced GABA Studies (CIAGS) |
| the blood, which will simultaneously feed muscles | | | | indicated that autistic boys typically have only |
| and organs while lowering blood glucose to | | | | 45.5% of a specific GABA enzyme |
| acceptable levels. | | | | (GABA-Transaminase) activity when compared to |
| When cells fail to respond to insulin, blood glucose | | | | their neurotypical peers. The same study found |
| remains elevated, resulting in the release of more | | | | high concentrations of GABA in blood plasma, |
| insulin. As IR progresses, the receptor cells will | | | | indicating a disruption of the GABAergic process. |
| more and more insulin to eventually respond. The | | | | The link between GABA and a number of |
| physical consequences of IR, such as diabetes and | | | | insulin-related disorders continues to be the |
| obesity, are well documented. The neurological | | | | subject of medical and scientific research. The |
| consequences of IR, however, remain largely | | | | theory of GABA-related Insulin Resistance was |
| unrecognized. | | | | addressed in a medical hypothesis issued by |
| Individuals suffering from IR can experience a | | | | experts Jeanrenaud and Di Blasi more than fifteen |
| number of psychiatric and cognitive abnormalities. | | | | years ago. In a summary of their report, Insulin |
| While research on neurological disruption is | | | | Resistance Syndrome: Defective GABA |
| relatively limited compared to IR's physical | | | | Neuromodulation as a Possible Hereditary |
| complications, what research exists consistently | | | | Pathogenetic Factor (the 'GABA hypothesis'), the |
| supports the existence of brain symptoms. These | | | | pair state, "Alteration of the biochemical structure |
| symptoms may include depression, psychosis, | | | | of GABA receptors is suggested as an |
| impaired brain development, and impaired social | | | | interpretation of the origin of the syndrome." |
| function. | | | | Subsequent studies have yet to settle the |
| In addition to sharing common symptoms, the | | | | 'chicken-or-the-egg' debate, but the likely |
| neurological action caused by Insulin Resistance | | | | connection between GABA and insulin disorders is |
| and associated with some cases of Autism PDD | | | | widely accepted. |
| are strikingly similar. Individuals with IR and those | | | | The occurrence of common symptoms and |
| with Autism may experience dysregulation of | | | | conditions in both individuals diagnosed with Autism |
| neurological processes which control mood and | | | | and those diagnosed with Insulin Resistance does |
| cognitive function. For instance, disturbance in | | | | not prove a connection between the disorders, |
| dopaminergic, opioidergic, and serotonergic | | | | but it does provide good cause for further |
| processes have been observed both in individuals | | | | investigation. Some parents, having already |
| with Autism and those with Insulin Resistance. The | | | | subscribed to the IR theory, have implemented |
| significance of these shared symptoms should not | | | | modified diets to minimize the damage IR can |
| be discounted, particularly in light of another | | | | cause. Others have chosen to try GABA |
| commonality between the disorders: GABAergic | | | | supplement therapy independently. Positive and |
| dysregulation. | | | | negative results of varying degrees have been |
| GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an | | | | reported in both cases. Parents considering |
| endogenous (produced naturally within the body) | | | | biomedical intervention in any form, even diet |
| neurotransmitter that functions primarily to stop | | | | modification or supplementation, are urged to |
| certain neurological and physiological processes. Its | | | | proceed only with qualified medical supervision. |
| place in brain development, mood control, and | | | | |