OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the free fraction of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) and the N1/P2 component of the auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) are associated with impaired brain serotonin neurotransmission in infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). STUDY DESIGN: We measured free, bound, and total plasma L-Trp and recorded the N1/P2 component of AEP in a prospective, longitudinal, and comparative study comparing IUGR and control infants. RESULTS: Plasma free L-Trp was increased and the amplitude of N1/P2 component was significantly decreased in IUGR relative to control infants. The free fraction of L-Trp and N1/P2 component had a negative association. CONCLUSIONS: In newborns with IUGR, the changes in measured plasma free fraction of L-Trp and in the amplitude the N1/P2 component of the AEP suggest an inverse association between free L-Trp and components of the AEP. The changes observed in the free fraction of L-Trp and AEP may be causally associated with brain serotonergic activity in utero. In IUGR, epigenetic factors such as stress-induced disturbances in brain serotonin metabolism or serotonergic activity, identifiable by alterations in AEP, influence cerebral sensory cortex development and may be causally associated with serotonin-related disorders in adulthood.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the free fraction of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) and the N1/P2 component of the auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) are associated with impaired brainserotonin neurotransmission in infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). STUDY DESIGN: We measured free, bound, and total plasma L-Trp and recorded the N1/P2 component of AEP in a prospective, longitudinal, and comparative study comparing IUGR and control infants. RESULTS: Plasma free L-Trp was increased and the amplitude of N1/P2 component was significantly decreased in IUGR relative to control infants. The free fraction of L-Trp and N1/P2 component had a negative association. CONCLUSIONS: In newborns with IUGR, the changes in measured plasma free fraction of L-Trp and in the amplitude the N1/P2 component of the AEP suggest an inverse association between free L-Trp and components of the AEP. The changes observed in the free fraction of L-Trp and AEP may be causally associated with brain serotonergic activity in utero. In IUGR, epigenetic factors such as stress-induced disturbances in brain serotonin metabolism or serotonergic activity, identifiable by alterations in AEP, influence cerebral sensory cortex development and may be causally associated with serotonin-related disorders in adulthood.
Authors: Jari Lahti; Marius Lahti; Anu-Katriina Pesonen; Kati Heinonen; Eero Kajantie; Tom Forsén; Kristian Wahlbeck; Clive Osmond; David J P Barker; Johan G Eriksson; Katri Räikkönen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-01-29 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Linda A Gonder-Frederick; John F Zrebiec; Andrea U Bauchowitz; Lee M Ritterband; Joshua C Magee; Daniel J Cox; William L Clarke Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2009-03-26 Impact factor: 19.112