GABA, Glutamate & Apraxia of Speech: Understanding the Brain Chemistry Connection

For many families, a whole-body approach can provide additional support alongside traditional therapies. Understanding how brain chemistry affects speech and nervous system regulation may open the door to more personalized and effective support strategies for children with apraxia.

A 2024 study titled, “Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Exploring Gluten Sensitivity and Changes in Glutamate and GABA Plasma Levels,” showed that children with apraxia had:

• Higher glutamate levels

• Lower GABA levels

• Higher anti-gliadin antibodies (markers of gluten sensitivity)

The researchers concluded that this Glutamate–GABA imbalance may contribute to the neurological dysfunction seen in apraxia, and that gluten sensitivity markers were strongly associated with these changes.

The Glutamate and GABA Balance in the Brain

Glutamate is the neurotransmitter the brain uses the most. It is vitally important for the brain to function optimally, and it regulates other neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine. Glutamate is an “excitatory” neurotransmitter that is essential for learning, memory, and motor movement.

The brain uses glutamate to make GABA — the brain’s main “inhibitory” neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system. GABA is important for a relaxed but focused and efficient brain, and it is especially important for speech — helping with the production and space between words, comprehension, and conversation.

Think of glutamate as the gas pedal and GABA as the brakes … and the balance between these two neurotransmitters has to be “just right.” When these systems are balanced, brain signals flow smoothly and things like focus, coordination, regulated emotions, and speech come easily.

The Excitotoxicity Crisis

If glutamate is too high or GABA is too low, neurons (brain cells) can become overstimulated and stressed. Over time, this excessive stimulation can damage neurons or even lead to cell death. This process is called excitotoxicity, and researchers believe it may play a role in many neurological conditions.

Imbalances in glutamate and GABA signaling have been observed in conditions such as autism, ADHD, seizures, and other neurological differences. Because these neurotransmitters help regulate brain signaling, movement, sensory processing, and attention, disruptions in this balance may contribute to symptoms seen in these conditions.

Contributing factors to this problem may be genetic predispositions and/or nutritional deficiencies that are preventing the brain from converting the glutamate into GABA. For example, B6, magnesium, zinc, B12, and folate are all helper nutrients in this conversion.

The REID Diet

The Reduced Excitatory Inflammatory Diet (REID) was created by mom and biochemist Katherine Reid PhD. The diet focuses on removing foods high in glutamate and additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG). This diet was key in helping Dr. Reid's daughter recover from autism.

Foods high in glutamate include:

Processed and fast foods with MSG

Parmesan cheese

Soy sauce

Tomatoes

Sausage (there are clean brands without MSG)

Grapes

Broth, stock, soup

Processed, pre-packaged deli meats

Beef sticks

Fermented foods including yogurt

Gluten and dairy

Families who have cut out glutamates from their child’s diet often report improvements in attention, hyperactivity, sleep, speech, and emotional regulation.

MSG and Hidden Sources of Glutamate

MSG is a concentrated form of glutamate used as a flavor enhancer that may be found in processed foods, chips, snacks, soups, and sauces. Unless a restaurant uses high quality ingredients, it’s often present when you eat out or eat fast food. It is known to create gut dysbiosis and it’s also an excitotoxin that has the potential to be a neurotoxin in high doses.

It is common for MSG to appear on ingredient labels under different names like maltodextrin, yeast extract, soy protein isolate, and more.

A complete list of MSG sources can be found here: The Truth In Labeling Campaign -- "Names of ingredients that contain manufactured free glutamate"

The EMF, Calcium & Glutamate Connection

Calcium channels act like tiny gates on neurons that control how much calcium enters the cell. Many of these channels are voltage-gated, meaning they open in response to electrical signals. Calcium plays an important role in neurotransmitter release, gene expression, and cellular communication.

Some researchers suggest that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from wireless devices may influence voltage-gated calcium channels, potentially allowing more calcium to enter cells. Excess calcium inside neurons can contribute to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and increased release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate.

When glutamate signaling becomes excessive, glutamate receptors can allow even more calcium to enter the cell, which may further exacerbate excitotoxicity.

Some holistic approaches that may support nervous system balance include reducing unnecessary EMF exposure, supporting magnesium levels, engaging in calming activities, and focusing on whole foods while limiting highly processed sources of free glutamate.

MTHFR, Methylation & Glutamate

It is believed that up to 98 percent of children with autism have some variation of the MTHFR genetic mutations. This causes impairments in folate metabolism, methylation, and not being able to detox optimally. This typically creates a two-part problem with the Glutamate-GABA balance:

• Problems with methylation typically coincide with high glutamate levels

• Methylfolate works with B12 to regulate hormones, cellular health, and to create dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. Thus, if folate metabolism is impaired, GABA will also be affected.

My Son’s Resolution of Apraxia of Speech and the Supplement Glutamine

One component of my son’s his holistic apraxia protocol was a gluten and dairy free diet that was also low glutamate, and the supplement L-Glutamine. He was on this supplement for about two years for the purpose of healing and sealing his leaky gut.

However, maybe there were other benefits as well.

L-glutamine is a precursor amino acid for both glutamate and GABA. In the brain, glutamine is converted into glutamate, and then glutamate is converted into GABA.

Although it would seem that taking glutamine would add to the high glutamate load, it may actually help to balance out the Glutamate-GABA brain chemistry. Either directly by supporting the conversion from glutamate to GABA or because of it’s gut healing, immune modulating, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Yes, the supplement L-Glutamine was one of the golden puzzle pieces for my own son’s apraxia, but due to bio-individuality, not all children have the same response. I’d love to hear if your child has ever taken this supplement and what your experience was like.

I’d also like to note that my son’s urine neurotransmitter test showed glutamate levels that were extremely high (double the upper limit) and GABA that was on the high end of normal. This made sense in his particular case because he had no autism symptoms, good focus, regulated temperament, and was overall coordinated.

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If you are interested in adding in holistic health supports for your child with apraxia of speech, contact me at tori.starling88@gmail.com to learn more.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

Sources:

Low-Glutamate Diet Main Info Page https://documentinghope.com/low-glutamate-diet/

(Excellent & comprehensive article!)

TED Talk - Dr. Katherine Reid - Unblind My Mind: What are we eating?

(Excellent video by the mom who created the REID diet for her daughter)

Documenting Hope Webinar - Glutamates and Autism with Katie Reid PhD https://documentinghope.com/webinar/glutamates-and-autism-with-katie-reid-phd/

Unblind My Mind — About the REID Program https://unblindmymind.org/about-reid/

How Wireless Devices Might Lead to Autism Symptoms https://documentinghope.com/how-wireless-devices-might-lead-to-autism-symptoms/

Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Exploring Gluten Sensitivity and Changes in Glutamate and GABA Plasma Levels. Pediatric Neurology, 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887899423004083?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Extensive use of monosodium glutamate: A threat to public health? EXCLI Journal, 2018. https://www.excli.de/vol17/Niaz_19032018_proof.pdf

Experimental evidence of the neurotoxic effect of monosodium glutamate in adult female Sprague Dawley rats. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X23002693

Discovery of MTHFR Deficiency in Individuals With Common Psychiatric Comorbidities. Cureus, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38738141/