Fetuses would also be likely to be susceptible to an increased concentration of aspartic acid. While the plasma level of aspartic acid obtained from aspartame may not be high enough to cause brain cell death, it may effect brain development. Fetal brain development is very sensitive to the levels of glutamic acid. Since recent, independent research has shown that glutamic acid can cross the placenta, one might expect that high levels of aspartic acid could also cross the placenta. The Existence of evidence of potential endocrine responses, i.e., elevated cortisol and prolactin, and differential responses between males and females, would also suggest a neuroendocrine link and that supplemental L- glutamic acid should be avoided by women of childbearing age and individuals with affective disorders.
Aspartic acid doses from aspartame are lower than that for glutamic acid found in supplements.
By the way, the effects of aspartic acid and glutamic acid are cumulative, so that anywhere who takes both aspartame and MSG in their diet is asking for trouble. No one really knows what happens to DKP in the human gut. The effects of long-term aspartame ingestion in the general population are becoming more and more clear. The toxicity reactions are increasing at an alarming rate. However, the effects from ingestion during pregnancy are difficult to determine partly because there have been no scientific studies looking at the effects in humans and partly because many of the adverse effects from fetal exposure would be expected to be seen after the child reaches puberty.