Excessive GABA astrocytes in the PD brain have been observed. Higher levels of glutamate are said to contribute to PD, ALS, and ALZ. Here I intend on collecting data and notes in an effort to understand the many years of scientific research on the relationship of glutamate, GABA and PD.
(I’m a novice researcher with no qualifications other than extreme curiosity.)
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a...
Chronic Glutamate Toxicity - Neurodegenerative Diseases
GioCas, I’m reposting this. Thank you!
My husband had improvement after starting mementine, which I believe acts on glutamate. There might be some interesting research there to look into.
Another PD glutamine connection! In the most simplistic terms, Mementine works by blocking something that activates glutamate. My interpretation is that mementine works by decreasing glutamate exitoxicity. Glutamate is involved in even more of our functioning than dopamine. As with all things, it is when things are not in balance that a problem develops. Thank you!!
Thanks for the testimony. Memantine is a NMDAr antagonist, it blocks glutamate. I'm trying to get Memantine prescribed off label for ALS. I believe it will be a game changer for me.
SE
I wish you the best of luck SilentEchoes
Why are you trying? Do you believe your doctor won't prescribe it? Is it expensive?
I asked my FP to prescribe Montelukast for my husband and he refused. I then asked our MDS and she suggested to ask my FP. I replied that I did, and that he turned me down. Soon after I asked our MDS for a Montelukast prescription, we got a portal email from FP saying that he will call it in!
Memantine is expensive and off label for ALS. The US FDA has only approved it for Alzheimers. It has broader use in Europe. People with PD are sometimes prescribed amantadine, a similar drug - but not as effective of a NMDA receptor blocker in my opinion. Inflammation is our common enemy.
People with a catastrophic diagnosis like ALS only get palliative care (like hospice); cancer and heart disease isn't treated and life prolonging interventions like a tracheostomy/ventilator and PEG tube are discouraged. This doesn't happen in any other neurological disease. People with muscular dystrophy get pacemakers and people with Down syndrome get cancer treatment. It's inhumane to withhold care in my opinion, if the person wants it. I challenge the status quo all the time and am fighting to change it.
I'm a dead woman walking unless I can prove an alternate dx. So I did 😊 I'm positive for anti-NMDAR antibodies, now my autoimmune disease can get treated along with my ALS. It doesn't negate my ALS dx, it supports it. I also have VGKC antibodies (voltage gated potassium channel Ab). My nervous system is on fire.
The goal now is to change the standard of care. We all have the legal right to try in the US. The GP elevated my care to Geriatrics. I'm going to press the internal medicine doctor to prescribe memantine. I don't have a prescribing neurologist.
SE
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ The root cause of all of our diseases is inflammation.
Your saying this gave me a lift of joy because I know this to be true. This is why what we eliminate from our diet is more important in my opinion than what we add. I will simply fast instead of eating if my choices are going to cause inflammation. I subsequently spend a lot of time watching people eat.
The second doctor I went to said “your symptoms sound more like ALS.”
This is after the first neuro said “most likely PD.”
The reality is that both can occur simultaneously.
My uncle had ALS. I get where you are at.
I am going to research what you said above asap. I want to understand.
I am your new research friend. ❤️
"The reality is that both can occur simultaneously."
And in a triad with dementia, called Parkinsonism | ALS | Dementia complex that occurred on the Island of Guam [and other areas where Vietnam era warfare chemicals were staged] that was blamed on locals eating bats that at fruit from the cyad tree. If this were true then where are the lab tests on the cyanide contaminated animals?
My theory is that the origin of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration is cyanide exposure/poisoning.
SE
Regardless of what did or did not occur in poor Guam, my research has led me to be very optimistic about the positive effect of L-Serine. The pathway makes sense and is explained with research. And, there are credible testimonials. This one is both heart wrenching and heart warming.
Thanks for your very informative response. I was under the impression that you had/have MSA-P.
You are a fighter and am sure you will get your prescription. Keep pressuring your doctor.
Best wishes.
Glutamate dysfunction is related to (contributes to) neurodegenerative disorders. Gives suggestions of what to add and what to avoid.
bebrainfit.com/glutamate-ne...
Great site...
Does eating gluten contribute to an excess of glutamate which can lead to glutamate over abundance and culminate in neurodegeneration?
When I (quit being a passionate baker) and went gluten free, the change in my inflammation and brain function was extraordinary. I had no idea I had any gluten sensitivity. Could the gluten have been causing glutamate to reach levels that were contributing to my neurodegeneration? I hypothesize, YES!
Please read this as it may inspire you to make beneficial dietary changes.
rootcausemedicalclinics.com...
"Does eating gluten contribute to an excess of glutamate which can lead to glutamate over abundance and culminate in neurodegeneration?"
YES! You need to avoid gluten, it's not about gluten sensitivity, you need to avoid converting gluten to glutamate. You also need to avoid MSG and read food labels. There are naturally occurring sources of MSG, like parmesan cheese.
SE
I want so much for people to understand how much gluten is contributing to their neurological issues.
I’m encountering that some of the foods that are high in Spermedine or good for the gut are high in glutamate. Spermedine is highly desirable. Mushrooms are an example. Hard to determine if the trade off is worth it.
I look at everything now through the lens of glutamate excitotoxicity and NMDA receptor binding capacity. Will take a look at spermedine.
SE
Hi ! Your post piqued my curiosity, so I started checking it out. I was amazed at the number of good for PD foods among them..... peas, certain cheeses, walnuts, and tomatoes contained high levels of glutamate, and that glutamate may cause anxiety in some. Thanks..
From what I have read, gluten increases glutamate. Excess glutamate is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In this video, at approx 22 minutes, Dr. Wahls says that “gluten and casein increase PD.”
(I do not want to derail the subject of GAMA and, glutamate by discussing dairy casein. I can do a separate post on my dairy research.)
(I’m just delving in to this). Glutamate excitoxicity is associated with neurodegeneration (als, ALZ, pd) The NMDA pathway facilitates or blocks this. (?). Working within the NMDA pathway, what if anything can reduce glutamate Excitotoxicity? Ketamine is showing promise for this.
I of course hope to find other presently accessible and easier means but it’s a start.
Could Ketamine Become the Next Treatment Option for PD?
neuroscience.md/could-ketam...
Thanks, Matcha! You have done some serious searching--love your fighting spirit!
I bookmarked your link on Ketamine. I will ask our Vanderbilt MDS to prescribe it for my husband's depression. Nothing to lose.
Amantadine sounds to me like it is neuro protective bc it works on the NMDA pathway to reduce glutamate Excitotoxicity which is associated with neurodegeneration. Why is it not more commonly used then? Why aren’t the protective aspects of it more widely discussed? Why is it not prescribed preceding CL (which speeds decline - not getting in to that here but if definitely does.). Please jump in with info to help me understand this.
Amantadine and Memantadine NMDA Receptor Agonists that are NEUROPROTECTIVE. (Love that word!)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/788...
Link bookmarked! Thanks!
Despe, I found this video which is summarizing and adding upon what took me hours to begin to understand. He mentioned a nootropic that is accessible. Mementine blocks too much I now believe. I’m researching while working so both suffer in quality. Screen shot of video. Can’t get it to link.
You are a thesaurus! Thank you.
😀 this Leo guy sure is! So about L-serine, it still looks like a good path to continue wandering down the research hole but the Dr. Paul Cox connection was a weird dead end. But, don’t give up yet on L-serine. And, I’m excited to learn more about Huperzine A.
It’s looking good!
Trehalose, not so much. I will revisit that last.
I’m starting a big project in a couple days which is why I’m researching now while I can.
As you might be able to tell based on my enthusiasm, my brain has improved. Im often feeling more like my old self.
That is great! Reading about Huperzine A, I think all the other nootropics have to be on hold. . .
Glutamate Excitotoxicity (spelling?) associated with brain degeneration. Glutamate exitotoxicity associated with the NMDA pathway. Multiple prescription drugs exist that address this. I found a natural and accessible NMDA inhibitor that has a very long history of use.
Huperzine A
Is anyone using Huperzine A?
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/115...
Need to look into Huperzine A! I'd rather supplement than use pharmaceuticals.
❤️
Peoples reaction to your pd
MAO-B inhibitors, natural sources, how they effect GABA, and neuroprotective potential 
How do you refer to your PD to new people?
Parkin, glutamate, NAC, mitophagy
