Binge Eating Support

Medications and Treatments for BED

Memantine is a prescription medication that may be used off-label to treat Binge Eating Disorder. 

 

 

Glutamate is thought to play a large role in seizures.  The build-up of sodium in nerve cells is needed to build up electrical signal.  Carbamazepine prevents this, so cells can’t fire rapid and repetitive signals.  Preventing the build up prevents the release of glutamate. 

 

Glutamate pathways are involved in learning, memory, epilepsy, neural plasticity, neural development and neurodegeneration. 

 

Glutamate can stimulate the formation of inositol phosphates.

 

Theory: cytokines cause enhanced excitatory receptor function, which messes up glutamate transmission.

 

Glycine is the required co-antagonist with glutamate for NMDA receptors.  Glycine is a sweetener/taste enhancer.  Food supplements and protein drinks have it.  It can increase gastric absorption of stuff.

 

Ketamine lifts depression in hours.  It blocks glutamate from acting on NMDA receptors.

 

Increased glutamate found in brains of depressed patients before they sought treatment and in the brains of people who committed suicide.

 

Excess inflammation and dysregulated glutamate associated with depression.

 

Inflammatory mediators acting on microglia make more quinolinic acid than kynurenic acid, you get overall NMDA antagonism.  Quinolinic acid directly causes the release of glutamate.

 

NMDA receptors are what activate microglia.

 

Inflammation causes excess glutamate receptor antagonism by increased production of quinolinic acid, increased release of glutamate and by inhibiting EAAT.

 

Increased glutamate receptor stimulation causes a restriction of blood flow to tissues (ischemia).  This causes a shortage of glucose and oxygen needed to keep the tissue alive (via cellular metabolism).

 

Excess NMDA receptor activation is implicated in schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, addiction, chronic pain and oncogene induction.

Wellbutrin is a Nicotinic antagonist.

 

Injections of an NMDA agonist, such as glutamate or aspartate, cause hyperphagia and concomitant hyperactivity.  The lateral hypothalamus uses NMDA receptors to control feeding.

 

 

 

Counteracts glutamate:

-Lunesta

-Valium

-Ice cream

-Taurine

-Dopamine agonists

-Magnesium

-Singulair

-Leukotriene blocker

 

Blocks glutamate:

-Ibuprofen

-Haloperidal, an anti-psychotic, controls tics, explosive/aggressive behavior, hyperactivity.  Controls abnormal excitement in the brain.

-Topiramate (Topamax), used for seizures, prevents migraines, bipolar disorder, counteracts weight gain from anti-depressants, Borderline Personality Disorder, mood instability, alcoholism, obesity, reduces binge eating, PTSD, OCD

-Lamotrigine (Lamictal), anti-convulsant.  Used for bipolar disorder, mood stabilizer, anti-depressant, depersonalization disorder, schizoaffective disorder, migraines an neuropathy

-Ketamine (Special K)- NMDA receptor antagonist, binds to opioid receptors.  Related to PCP.  Works within hours as an anti-depressant.

-Benedryl

-NBQX- anti-convulsant that blocks AMPA and kainate receptors

-Prolactin (AKA luteotropic hormone)

 

Removes glutamate:

-Divalproex (Valproate semisodium)- used to treat mania, bipolar disorder, depression, seizures, neuropathy, side effects of autism, migraines, schizophrenia.  Valproic acid found in valerian root.

-Vitamin B6- pyridoxal phosphate is the active form.  It governs the release of glucose from glycogen. Coenzyme for many reactions.  Converts glutamate to GABA, tryptophan to serotonin.  Affects gene expression.

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