Journal or Publishing Institution: Frontiers in Neurology
Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4153031/
Author(s): Westmark, C.J.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Record ID: 1170
Abstract: Numerous neurological disorders including fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease are co-morbid with epilepsy. We have observed elevated seizure propensity in mouse models of these disorders dependent on diet. Specifically, soy-based diets exacerbate audiogenic-induced seizures in juvenile mice. We have also found potential associations between the consumption of soy-based infant formula and seizure incidence, epilepsy comorbidity, and autism diagnostic scores in autistic children by retrospective analyses of medical record data. In total, these data suggest that consumption of high levels of soy protein during postnatal development may affect neuronal excitability. Herein, we present our theory regarding the molecular mechanism underlying soy-induced effects on seizure propensity. We hypothesize that soy phytoestrogens interfere with metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling through an estrogen receptor-dependent mechanism, which results in elevated production of key synaptic proteins and decreased seizure threshold.
Keywords: autism, daidzein, estrogen, fragile X syndrome, mGluR5, phytoestrogens, seizures, soy, soybeans, genetically modified, GM soya, bacterial genes, toxic proteins, GM DNA, gut bacterium, human gut, celiac disease, antibody production, autoimmune reactions, neurological function, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt, glyphosate, breast milk, GM crops, pesticide, herbicide, drying agent, antibiotic, endocrine disruptor, inflammation, autism symptoms, organic diet, reverse osmosis filtered water
Citation: Westmark, C.J., 2014. A hypothesis regarding the molecular mechanism underlying dietary soy-induced effects on seizure propensity. Frontiers in Neurology, 5, p.169.