Periodically, I have had parents tell me that their child reacts negatively to GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid) supplementation. GABA is a supplement that helps to decrease excess activity in the brain and has been used to assist with calmness, anxiety and agitation/aggression. Medication forms of GABA have been used to help with seizure activity and neuropathic pain. However, at times the opposite occurs and a child on the spectrum becomes more agitated, etc. when they take GABA as a supplement. Why is this happening? As outlined below by Jon Pangborn, Ph.D. there are a few potential causes for this paradoxical reaction:

1. There can be elevated levels of GABA in the blood often seen on a plasma amino acid profile. The GABA likely indicates intestinal dysbiosis, aka. bacterial overgrowth or overall digestive imbalance in the gut. This form of GABA can become a circulating pool for ammonia production.
2. Supplemented GABA can have its amino group removed and then transferred to alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) to form glutamic acid. Glutamic acid can become glutamate which is an excitatory amino acid in the brain.
3. If there is not enough AKG (this is often seen as low 2-oxoglutaric acid on Great Plains Organic Acid Test) to absorb the GABA’s removed amino group this can add to a circulating pool of ammonia. Anything that can form ammonia reactions in autism is not good.

Ammonia can lead to brain irritation and cellular metabolism imbalance. Excess glutamate can lead to brain over-stimulation and hyperexcitability.

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When GABA Supplementation Can Create Problems

Therefore, GABA supplementation in a susceptible situation can create problems if:

1. There is ammonia excess and/or not enough alpha-ketoglutaric acid. It is possible to supplement for AKG through New Beginnings at 877-575-2467 or www.nbnus.com. Each capsule comes in 600mg doses. Usually, one to two capsules per day can help increase a low level AKG. This can be double checked through the 2-oxoglutaric acid marker on the Organic Acid Test.
2. If there is already too much glutamate and the GABA adds to it.
3. There is already too much GABA being generated by intestinal dysbiosis.

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Important Medical Disclaimer

The material contained within this document is not intended to replace the services and/or medical advice of a licensed health care practitioner, nor is it meant to encourage diagnosis and treatment of disease. This material has not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is strictly for educational purposes only. Educational Resource Association (and associates/affiliates) does not accept legal responsibility for any problems arising from experimentation with the information described herein. Any application of suggestions set forth in the following portions of this document is at the reader’s discretion and sole risk. Implementation or experimentation with any supplements, herbs, dietary changes, medications, and/or lifestyle changes, etc., is done so at your sole risk and responsibility and should be discussed with your (or your child’s) personal physician first.