If you or someone you care for has an inflammatory or autoimmune condition that involves/affects the brain, this post is for you. Today, I want to share a few “mom insights” and quick snippets about Benadryl, Choline, and Acetylcholine.

Aside from being an antihistamine, Benadryl is also an anticholinergic drug. 

Anticholinergics block acetylcholine and disrupt the normal communication between nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body.

Depending on a multitude of factors, anticholinergics can be helpful, problematic, or have zero effect on those with PANS/PANDAS, Autism, and similar conditions.

What are Choline and Acetylcholine, and why are they important?

Choline is an important nutrient that assumes a crucial role in various physiological processes throughout the body. It is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in motor control, muscle contraction and movement, memory, and other cognitive functions. 

Acetylcholine acts as a messenger between nerve cells, transmitting signals across synapses and influencing neuronal activity. What does this mean? 

Like a messenger delivering a letter, acetylcholine carries important information between nerve cells. Nerve cells are like neighbors talking over a fence. The synapse is the space between them. Acetylcholine helps the messages jump across this space so they can be understood.

Think of neurons (nerve cells) as the workers in the brain. Acetylcholine tells these workers when to start working harder or slower, affecting the brain’s overall functions.

Now, back to Choline. This necessary precursor plays a crucial role in mitigating the inflammatory response within the brain, which is why I believe it can offer much-needed support when the brain is inflamed and when autoimmunity is present. 

Research suggests that choline supplementation may help modulate inflammatory pathways, reducing the severity of symptoms and slowing disease progression in individuals with inflammatory brain conditions.

Furthermore, Choline’s involvement in synthesizing phospholipids, which form the structural basis of cell membranes, is particularly relevant in inflammatory brain conditions. Maintaining the integrity of cell membranes is essential for protecting neurons from damage and promoting optimal neurological function.

Food for Thought: 

1. Anticholinergic over-the-counter and prescription drugs may or may not be beneficial for treating and/or managing symptoms associated with conditions like PANS/PANDAS and Autism. Keep a log of any changes you notice after administering the drug, and share any concerns with your practitioner.

2. Choline may offer support when brains are inflamed. 

3. Balancing neurotransmitter levels through adequate choline intake may help
alleviate some of the neuropsychiatric symptoms observed in PANS.

4. Choline’s neuroprotective properties may help safeguard against inflammation.

5. Choline may help mitigate the severity of symptoms in neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory brain conditions by supporting cell membrane integrity and modulating inflammatory responses.

6. Choline’s involvement in neurotransmitter synthesis extends to mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Optimizing choline levels may support improved mood and emotional well-being.

7. Depending on the brand/formulation, Benadryl can contain polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, artificial dyes, edetate disodium EDTA, and polysorbate 80, which may be problematic for sensitive individuals. 

8. Low levels of acetylcholine may be a potential contributor to autism symptomatology.

9. Increasing acetylcholine levels may help improve cognitive flexibility and social behavior in those with autism-like characteristics.

I offer these ‘mom insights’ with heartfelt intention, hoping they resonate with you and give you something to think about. However, let me emphasize that while I share personal experiences and observations, my words should not be construed as medical advice. They serve solely as educational tools to encourage your journey towards well-being, both for you and your loved ones.

Studies/Articles of Interest

Cholinergic System and Its Therapeutic Importance in Inflammation and Autoimmunity
https://europepmc.org/article/med/33936095

Cholinergic control of Th17 cell pathogenicity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36528755/

Neuroprotective Actions of Dietary Choline
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28788094/

Oregon State University Choline
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/choline

Choline and the Brain: An Epigenetic Perspective
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-28383-8_21

Antibodies From Children With PANDAS Bind Specifically to Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons and Alter Their Activity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32539528/

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for autistic spectrum disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37267443/#:~:text=Acetylcholine%20is%20a%20neurotransmitter%20for,potential%20contributor%20to%20autism%20symptomatology.

Learning Difficulties and Autism: Where Do Neurotransmitters Come in?
https://natautism.com/en/the-connection-between-learning-difficulties-autism-and-neurotransmitters/

How Choline Benefits Your Brain and Beyond – Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC (drruscio.com)

Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk – Harvard Health

If you found this post helpful or have a personal experience you’d like to share, please leave me a comment below.

Because your health matters!
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