Abstract
Little is known regarding the possible cognitive and behavioral effects of the artificial sweetener aspartame in humans. Few, if any, studies have addressed the issues raised by the potential elevation of brain phenylalanine levels which may be induced by aspartame ingestion and the concomitant depletion in specific neurotransmitter supplies which may result. In this chapter, the relevant literature addressing this topic is reviewed, the results of a new double-blind, acute study are briefly summarized, and findings from the pilot phase of a new chronic exposure study are reviewed.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bradstock, M.K., Serdula, M.K., Marks, J.S., Barnard R.J., Crane, N.T., Remington, P.L., and Trowbridge, F.L. (1986). Evaluation of reactions to food additives: the aspartame experience. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 43:464–469.
Krause, W., Halminski, M., McDonald, L., Dembure, P., Salvo, R., Freides, D., and Elsas, L. (1985). Biochemical and neuropsychological effects of elevated plasma phenylalanine in patients with treated phenylketonuria: a model for the study of phenylalanine and brain function in man. J. Clin. Invest. 75:40–48.
Lieberman, H.R., Caballero, B., Garfield, G.S., and Bernstein, J.G., (1987). The effects of aspartame on human mood, performance and plasma amino acid levels. Poster presentation, Symposium on Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function, Washington, D.C., May 8-10.
Ryan-Harshman, M., Leiter, L.A., and Anderson, H.G. (1987). Phenylalanine and aspartame fail to alter feeding behavior, mood and arousal in men. Physiol. Behav. 39:247–253.
Stegink, L.D. (1984). Aspartame metabolism in humans: acute dosing studies. In Stegink, L.D., and Filer, L.J. (eds.), Aspartame: physiology and biochemistry. New York: Marcel Dekker, pp. 509–553.
Suomi, S.J. (1984). Effects of aspartame on the learning test performance of young stumptail macaques. In Stegink, L.D., and Filer, L.J. (eds.), Aspartame: physiology and biochemistry. New York: Marcel Dekker, pp. 425–445.
Visek, W.J. (1984). Chronic ingestion of aspartame in humans. In Stegink, L.D., and Filer, L.J. (eds.), Aspartame: physiology and biochemistry. New York: Marcel Dekker, pp. 495–508.
Waisman, H.A., and Harlow, H.F. (1965). Experimental phenylketonuria in infant monkeys. Science 147:685–695.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1988 Birkhäuser Boston
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Spiers, P. et al. (1988). Aspartame and Human Behavior: Cognitive and Behavioral Observations. In: Wurtman, R.J., Ritter-Walker, E. (eds) Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function. Birkhäuser Boston. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9821-3_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9821-3_20
Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Boston
Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-9823-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-9821-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive