It is quite possible that Aspartame is responsible for all the cases of ADD, ADHD, autism, etc, etc, etc.

from http://www.jashbotanicals.com/articles/natural_guide_liver_health_1.html

This chemical that is widely used in the food industry breaks down in the body like this:

• 50% Phenylaline - can be neurotoxic - in some people susceptible (those with a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria) it will cause seizures.
• 40% Aspartic acid, which is an ant sting poison that may cause brain damage in the developing brain
• 10% methanol, which is a wood alcohol that turns into formaldehyde (an embalming fluid).

Pregnant women who consume aspartame may be damaging their children's developing brains.

from http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/preg.html

Aspartic Acid -- Like MSG (glutamic acid), it is an excitotoxic amino acid. When taken in significant quantities, in free form (unbound to protein), especially in liquid, it has been shown to significantly spike the plasma levels of aspartic acid. In animal experiments such spikes have been shown to destroy small numbers of cells in areas of the brain not protected by the blood brain barrier (BBB). This effect is seen in young animals. 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