AsianScientist (Sep. 22, 2017) – In a study published in the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, scientists in Australia have discovered that abnormalities in serotonin signaling in the brain are linked to cases of sudden infant disease syndrome (SIDS).
SIDS is the sudden unexpected death of an infant under one year of age that cannot be explained after a thorough investigation, including an autopsy. It is the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age in the developed world.
Serotonin, otherwise known as 5-HT, is a neurotransmitter found in different parts of the human body, including the central nervous system. Among its many roles, serotonin is involved in the regulation of sleep and the control of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
In the first study of its kind looking at babies outside the United States, researchers from the University of Adelaide’s Adelaide Medical School investigated 41 cases of SIDS deaths and discovered striking abnormalities in chemical serotonin within the brain. Their findings confirm and support the concept that brainstem dysfunction, resulting in significantly altered serotonin expression, is associated with some SIDS deaths.
“Serotonin is a key neurochemical that plays an important role in the control and management of the complex respiratory, cardiovascular and autonomic systems within the human infant brainstem,” said Dr. Fiona Bright of the University of Adelaide.
“Our research suggests that alterations in these neurochemicals may contribute to brainstem dysfunction during a critical postnatal developmental period. As a result, this could lead to an inability of a SIDS infant to appropriately respond to life-threatening events, such as lack of oxygen supply during sleep.”
“Notably, the SIDS cases we studied were all linked to at least one major risk factor for SIDS, with more than half of the infants found in an adverse sleeping position and having had an illness one month prior to death,” Bright added.
“Better understanding of the complex role of these neurochemicals, and the exact causes of their dysfunction in the brain, will help future research to develop potential biomarkers for infants at increased risk of SIDS,” said Professor Roger Byard of the University of Adelaide who was Bright’s supervisor and a co-author of the paper.
“Ultimately, we hope that this work will lead to improved prevention strategies, helping to save baby’s lives and the emotional trauma experienced by many families.”
The article can be found at: Bright et al. (2017) Medullary Serotonin Neuron Abnormalities in an Australian Cohort of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
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Source: University of Adelaide; Photo: Shutterstock.
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