This post started as a look at all of the amino acid shifts seen with Autism. One amino acid stood out so I dug deeper into that one.
Note that the results also depend on diet and one should not assume that it applies to every child. Results reported from a single study are often unreliable.
- .-aminobutyric acid, Lower
- β-alanine, Lower
- ammonia Higher
- aspartic acid, Lower
- asparagine Higher
- betaine, Lower
- citrulline, Lower
- creatine Higher
- creatinine, Lower
- d-threitol Higher
- glutamate, Lower
- glycine, Lower, Higher
- hippurate, Higher
- isoleucine, Lower, Lower
- lactate, Lower
- leucine, Lower, Lower
- lysine Lower
- methionine, Lower
- phenylalanine, Lower, Lower,
- proline amino acids Lower
- taurine Lower
- tryptophan, Lower, Lower, Lower, Lower, Higher, Lower
- “Elevated BDNF levels and lower tryptophan and KA levels were characteristics of both childhood autism and intellectual disability disorder, whilst elevated tryptophan and lower 5-HT synthesis were hallmarks of Asperger syndrome. ” [2018]
- “we show that a reduction in the relative abundance of very particular bacterial taxa … namely, bile-metabolizing Bifidobacterium and Blautia species, – is associated with deficient bile acid and tryptophan metabolism in the intestine,[2017]
- “According to the current literature, abnormal levels of tryptophan entails further irregularities, including serotonin pathway.” [2017]
- “The vast majority of the results here reported is within usually previously reported reference range (Wishart et al. 2013) for ASD children with vitamins B and magnesium supplementation. Patients without such supplementation have disturbed levels of tryptophan[wild swings]. ” [2017]
- valine Lower, Lower
Final regression model to detect Autism comprised of urinary free valine and tryptophan [2018].
Quick look at 2 autism children with multiple samples:
Bottom Line
Vitamins B and magnesium supplementation has been studied with positive effects. I have not located any human studies on using valine and tryptophan supplements.
“Our findings demonstrate mouse sociability and brain 5-HT turnover are reduced by acute TRP depletion, and can be enhanced by TRP supplementation. “[2015]