title: Dietary modulation of cortical excitation and inhibition.
abstract: The balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain affects both neural responses and behaviour in humans and animals. Here we investigated whether dietary intervention aimed at increasing levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can influence neural responses to basic sensory stimuli. Using a steady-state electroencephalography (EEG) paradigm, we found that the neural response to visual patterns was reduced in individuals who consumed a yeast extract product rich in substances associated with the production of GABA (glutamate and B vitamins), but not in a control group who consumed a placebo substance ( n = 14 per group). This demonstrates that the balance of excitation and inhibition in the brain can be influenced by dietary interventions, suggesting possible clinical benefits in conditions (e.g. epilepsy) where inhibition is abnormal.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, University of York, UK.
authors.forename: Anika K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, University of York, UK.
authors.forename: Alex R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Chemistry, University of York, UK.
authors.forename: Kirsty E H
authors.initials: KEH
authors.lastname: Penkman
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, University of York, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
keywords: Steady-state electroencephalography (EEG); diet; gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); inhibition; precursors