| The incidence of autism spectrum disorders | | | | a condition called excitotoxicity occurs which can |
| (ASD) has increased to the alarming rate of | | | | trigger abnormal development of the nervous |
| approximately 1 in 100, and in some areas of the | | | | system. Studies have indicated that there is a |
| country, as many as 1 in 67 males are afflicted | | | | genetic abnormality in the regulation of glutamate |
| with the condition. | | | | in individuals with ASD. |
| ASD is a related group of neurodevelopmental | | | | Also a part of the picture is an inflammatory |
| disorders including autism, Asperger's syndrome, | | | | process in the central nervous system (CNS). |
| Rett's syndrome, childhood disintegrative | | | | Immune cells in the CNS, called microglia, remove |
| syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder | | | | damaged nerve cells from the brain and CNS. |
| not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). | | | | However, when microglia are chronically active, |
| Until now, researchers have not proposed a | | | | they release damaging chemicals. |
| theory that pinpoints a single mechanism | | | | Chronic activity of the microglial cells leads to CNS |
| responsible for causing the diverse constellation of | | | | damage and has been implicated in a number of |
| behaviors characteristic of ASD. A research study | | | | neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's |
| published in Current Medicinal Chemistry proposes | | | | disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. |
| that environmental and dietary factors may | | | | In 2005, brain autopsies of individuals with ASD |
| trigger a devastating cycle of events affecting | | | | confirmed the presence of significantly increased |
| certain activities of the brain. | | | | levels of microglial cell activation. |
| In their recent paper, researchers R.L. Blaylock | | | | Blaylock and Strunecka comment, "As a |
| and A. Strunecka propose that increased levels of | | | | multifaceted disorder, ASD requires a multifaceted |
| glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in more | | | | approach, one that should include the protection |
| than half of the brain's neural transmissions, is | | | | against excitotoxicity/microglial activation." |
| implicated in ASD. | | | | They warn of the significant dangers of long-term |
| Glutamate is essential for learning, memory, | | | | fluoride use, ingestion of aluminum, and diets |
| motor coordination, and many other brain | | | | containing processed foods, and |
| functions. However, too much glutamate in the | | | | aspartate-containing additives. They recommend |
| brain has toxic effects. The level of glutamate is | | | | "nutrition with special nutrients that have been |
| regulated by a sophisticated feedback system. If | | | | shown to reduce excitotoxicity and microglial |
| this complex feedback system becomes impaired, | | | | activation. |