i Any A Yeas oltchoothcom one Poge The Role of Excitotoxins in Autistic Type Behavior Dr. Amy A. Yasko Introduction have been researching and working with inflammatory pathways in the body since my doctoral work at Albany Medical College. | have always folt that itis critical to understand why something is happening in order to make informed choices directed at ‘correcting the imbalance. | believe very strongly that the pathway of excitotoxin damage as described briliantly by Dr. Russell Blaylock, defintely leads to neurological inflammation. In applying the knowiedge of this process to my work with individuals Who have ALS, Parkinson's, MS and Alzheimers, | have had considerable success in reversing symptoms of these diseases, ‘More recently, | have used and extended the concepts of excitotoxin damage as they pertain to autism. | have found that by understanding the process that leads to the {ype of neurological inflammation that we know as “autism”, | am able to make significant strides in helping these children. The following represents what | believe is ‘occurring thus far with respect to the process of neurological inflammation that results in autistic ike behavior. It is a work in progress, and does not answer every question with regard to autistic type neurological inflammation. It does however, provide an ‘explanation for many of the observed behaviors and symptoms that are associated with autism, a framework from which to help reverse many of these traits, and a rationale for ‘why many of the currently utlized therapies are effective. Although I have never met, nor corresponded with Dr, Russell Blaylock, | thank hhim for his explanation and description of excitotoxin damage. It is from using, and extending his insights that I have been able to successfully touch and change many lives that have been afflicted with neurological inflammation,i Amy A Yoko olschoath com ena Pogo Overview ‘Through her consulting practice, Dr. Amy Arrow Yasko has worked with a large number of individuals with neurological inflammation. This includes individuals with ALS, MS, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimers Disease, and autism. Dr. Amy has found that the program she has implemented to successfully break the cycle of neurological inflammation with other types of neurological disorders is Useful in helping to reverse the neurological inflammation that manifests as autism. In adition, she has had success in reversing symptoms of Grohn’s disease, which has been postulated to occur via chronic measles infection as is often seen with autism. Dr. Amy views autism as a subset of neurological inflammation, and as such has. applied a variation of the approach that she has ullized with these other inflammatory disorders to the type of neurological inflammation that results in autistic like behavior. ‘While autism has a variety of similarities to other forms of neurological inflammation (Parkinson's, ALS, MS, and Alzheimer’s), it also has unique features that contribute to the autistic type of inflammation. Basically, Dr. Amy approaches neurological inflammation in general with a three-step program which can be implemented simultaneously. First, itis critical 0 remove excitotoxin triggers from the system. This involves closely monitoring food and supplement intake to avoid excitotoxins. Excitotoxins are neurotransmitters such as, ‘glutamate or aspartate that can excite the nerves to death when their levels are not regulated properly, Excess excitotoxins cause an imbalance in the flow of calcium, hich leads to activation of a complex inflammatory cascade, release of inflammatory ‘mediators, and ullimately causes the death of neurons. Foods or supplements that contain excitotoxins include MSG (monosodium glutamate}, glutamic acid, glutamine, utrasweet, aspartate, aspartame, and cysteine, Mercury and aluminum can also serve to trigger glutamate release. Noxt, its important to stop the inflammatory process created by the excitotxin triggers. This is achieved with a number of supplements known to mitigate inflammatory mediators. Finally, the third stage isto repair the damage, generate new neurons, and support the liver. This is accomplished with a number of supplements, which serve as antioxidants as well as to help increase glutathione levels, restore liver function,DL Amy A Yosayneolsehoathcan ene Poe promote nerve growth, restore vitamin K levels, decrease glutamate levels, and balance GABA lovols. Dr. Amy has found that in working with autistic neurological inflammation in particular, there are additional factors to consider. These include dealing with potentially chronic viral, bacterial, and yeast infections in the body (which can generate release of additional inflammatory mediators), balancing the acid/akaline ratio and restoring normal flora to the Gl tract, and metal toxicity (which also generates cexcitotoxin damage). There are several underlying factors that may predispose certain individuals to autistic type neurological inflammation. These include persons of blood type ©, (and to a lesser extent blood type A), early recurrent streptococcal infections, excess stomach acid, predominantly male sex, early multiple vaccinations, and well above normal Intelligence. There may also be a correlation with a familial history of liver dysfunction/disease, vitamin K deficiency, acid reflux, and autoimmune problems. Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the body. Itis essential for leaming, and for both short-term and long-term memory. Its also the precursor to the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA. GABA Is a calming neurotransmitter, and is essential for speech, Problems occur i the normal process of regulation of glutamate malfunctions ‘and if toxic levels of this excitatory neurotransmitter build up in the synaptic junctions. ‘The brain requires sufficient levels of oxygen and energy to remove excess glutamate. However, glutamate rolease leads to the release of insulin, which results in decreased {glucose levels. Ine amount of glucose in the brain regulates the removal of excess glutamate from the synapses. Therefore, a drop in blood glucose disrupts this removal process and allows the build up of toxic glutamate. In fact, conditions of hypoglycemia, oF low calorie/starvation conditions induce the release of glutamate and reduce the ability to remove excess levels of glutamate from the brain. This excess glutamate depletes glutathione. Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants found in the