profession
Sudden infant death syndrome linked to low serotonin levels
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 15, 2010
The brains of infants who die of sudden infant death syndrome produce low levels of serotonin, which may reduce their ability to respond to breathing challenges, according to a study in the Feb. 3 Journal of the American Medical Association.
Researchers analyzed brain tissue obtained from autopsies of 45 infants. Of these children, 35 died of SIDS, five died unexpectedly of other causes and five died of reasons associated with a lack of oxygen (link).
Researchers found serotonin levels were 26% lower in tissue from infants who died of SIDS than in tissue from the five infants who died unexpectedly. Measurements of the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase were also 22% lower among the infants who died of SIDS.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/02/15/prbf0215.htm.