Thread by @KetoCounselor

Have you ever heard of glutamate excitotoxicity? No? Well, settle in for a thread. You're going to need to know about this fascinating (and slightly scary) topic that's essential to understanding brain health. 🧵 (1/30)

Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter. You need some constantly being released and taken up by neurons to keep the brain functioning. It is critical to properly function several brain pathways essential for mood and cognitive function. (2/30)

In the prefrontal cortex, glutamate signaling is necessary for executive functions like decision-making, working memory, and attention. When glutamate signaling is functioning properly, it's a very good thing! (3/30)

Similarly, in the hippocampus, glutamate signaling is critical for forming and consolidating memories. It supports healthy cognitive function and mood. (4/30)

In the basal ganglia, glutamate signaling is involved in the regulation of #movement. When glutamate signaling is functioning properly in this pathway, it contributes to healthy movement and #mood. (5/30)

Overall, the proper functioning of glutamate signaling in these key pathways is essential for maintaining healthy mood and #cognitive function. (6/30)

So that's what normal and healthy glutamate functioning looks like! Pretty cool! Now what does glutamate excitotoxicity do? It feels like "I'm freaking out!" and when it gets really bad, it may look like a seizure for some people. (7/30)

But what does it look like in the brain? What is the effects of glutamate excitotoxicity on brain structures? I will tell you. And it's pretty scary! (8/30)

Glutamate toxicity in the brain can have devastating effects, causing damage to neurons and impairing normal #brain function. It causes a cascade of events that ultimately result in neuronal death. (9/30)

The excessive activation of glutamate receptors can cause an influx of calcium into neurons, leading to the activation of calcium-dependent enzymes that can damage cell membranes, proteins, and #DNA. (10/30)

This, in turn, can lead to the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress, which can further exacerbate cell damage and death. (11/30)

Glutamate toxicity is no joke and leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, impairing energy production in cells, and lead to accumulation of toxic byproducts that can damage the cell and trigger programmed cell death by releasing pro-apoptotic proteins. (12/30)

Your hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to glutamate excitotoxicity. Excessive glutamate release in the hippocampus can impair the formation and consolidation of memories, leading to cognitive dysfunction and memory loss. (13/30)

Glutamate toxicity has been implicated in several #neurological disorders, including #Alzheimers, #Parkinsons, #Huntingtons disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (#ALS). (14/30)

In addition to its role in neurological disorders, glutamate has also been implicated in the development of psychiatric illnesses, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. (15/30)

Dysregulation of glutamate signaling in this pathway can lead to cognitive dysfunction, negative symptoms, and mood disturbances. But what is causing a glutamate imbalance so severe that our brain would make levels that are actually toxic to our brain?! (16/30)

Glutamate excitotoxicity can occur through several mechanisms, including activation of glutamate receptors, disruption of calcium homeostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. (17/30)

What causes it? Both hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia can disrupt glutamate balance and contribute to the development of glutamate excitotoxicity. (18/30)

Both lead to excessive glucose in the bloodstream that can lead to an overstimulation of a type of glutamate receptor (NMDA) and 🆙 levels of glutamate in the brain to dangerous levels. (19/30)

This overstimulation can cause an excessive influx of calcium into neurons, triggering a cascade of events that result in cell damage and death. (20/30)

What else can cause glutamate excitotoxicity? MSG, #alcohol, heavy metal exposure, pesticides, air pollutants, and pharmaceuticals, including those used to treat mood disorders. (21/30)

Some of these we can avoid, and some of these we cannot. Luckily, we can use a ketogenic diet as a way to manage glutamate excitotoxicity should it happen despite our best efforts! (22/30)

A ketogenic diet has been shown to reduce glutamate levels in the brain, which may offer protection against glutamate excitotoxicity. How does it do this? Well, we actually know a lot about how! (23/30)

The reduction of glutamate production in the brain by the ketogenic diet occurs through several mechanisms, including the promotion of activity of a key enzyme that breaks down glutamate. This helps balance the levels of glutamate and GABA, in the brain. (24/30)

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that counteracts glutamate's effects, preventing neurons' overexcitation. Therefore, a balance between glutamate and GABA is essential for healthy brain function. (25/30)

Also, the ketogenic diet's demonstrated ability to improve mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress helps protect against the damaging effects of glutamate excitotoxicity. (26/30)

That was a lot of info! Let's provide a summary on what we have learned about the neurotransmitter glutamate! (27/30)

Glutamate excitotoxicity can devastate brain health, causing neuronal damage and even neuronal death. Hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and other factors can disrupt glutamate balance and trigger this harmful process. (28/30)

Ketogenic diets can help protect against glutamate excitotoxicity by reducing glutamate levels in the brain, improving mitochondrial function, and promoting a healthy balance of neurotransmitters. (29/30)

I hope you have found this thread helpful in your journey to learn all the ways you can feel better! 💜 (30/30)