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Nutrients, neurotransmitters and infant behavior.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|August 1, 1985
Summary
Dietary tryptophan and insulin significantly impact infant sleep patterns by influencing brain serotonin synthesis. This suggests infant sleep behavior is a sensitive indicator of dietary effects on neurotransmitter levels.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Dietary precursors, like tryptophan, influence brain neurotransmitter synthesis.
- Insulin plays a crucial role in modulating these metabolic pathways.
- Evidence suggests a link between adult sleep behavior and brain serotonin levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of dietary composition on neurotransmitter synthesis in newborns.
- To assess the relationship between diet, serotonin levels, and newborn sleep behavior.
- To investigate the influence of hyperinsulinemia on infant behavior and neurochemistry.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies on dietary precursors (tryptophan, amino acids) and serotonin synthesis.
- Observational studies on newborn state behavior, diet, and sleep patterns.
- Analysis of plasma amino acid ratios during glucagon stimulation in infants with hyperinsulinemia.
Main Results:
- Infants fed tryptophan exhibited quicker entry into active and quiet sleep compared to controls.
- Newborns of diabetic mothers (indicating hyperinsulinemia) showed reduced alertness and motor performance.
- Plasma amino acid profiles correlated with insulin level changes during stimulation tests.
Conclusions:
- Infant sleep behavior is a sensitive measure for studying dietary impacts on behavior.
- Variations in serotonin levels likely modulate infant sleep and behavioral outcomes.
- Maternal diabetes and resulting hyperinsulinemia can affect newborn neurobehavioral development.