Dr. Kathleen Holton is a nutritional neuroscientist, co-appointed in the Departments of Health Studies and Neuroscience, whose research examines the negative effects of dietary excitotoxins on neurological symptoms, as well as the positive protective effects of
certain micronutrients on the brain. The most common dietary excitotoxin exposures in the US are from food additives. Dr. Holton’s research is exploring the beneficial effects of removing these additives, while optimizing the nutrient composition of the diet in order to treat neurological conditions characterized by excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Her work aims to optimize the use of food as medicine in neurological treatment.