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Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Potential Model for

Dénes Tóth1, Gábor Simon1, Dóra Reglődi2

  • 1Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Pécs Medical School, Szigeti út 12, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) mechanisms are unclear. Research suggests pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) deficiency may be a key factor in SIDS, offering a new research model.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of post-neonatal infant mortality with unknown causes.
  • The triple-risk model suggests SIDS results from intrinsic vulnerability, external triggers, and a critical developmental window.
  • Current in vivo models do not fully replicate human SIDS complexities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize research on pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in relation to SIDS.
  • To explore the potential role of PACAP deficiency as a contributing factor to SIDS pathogenesis.
  • To propose PACAP as a promising target for SIDS research.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of PACAP and PAC1 receptor (PAC1R) research.
  • Analysis of early animal studies on PACAP/PAC1R absence and neonatal mortality.
  • Examination of recent human genetic investigations implicating PACAP and PAC1R in SIDS.

Main Results:

  • Early animal studies show PACAP or PAC1R absence correlates with increased neonatal mortality during the human SIDS-susceptible period.
  • Recent human studies suggest PACAP and PAC1R genes may contribute to SIDS development.
  • PACAP's known physiological roles include metabolic, thermal, cardiovascular, respiratory, stress, sleep, and immune regulation.

Conclusions:

  • PACAP deficiency presents a potential link to SIDS pathogenesis.
  • PACAP and its receptor PAC1R are implicated as plausible contributors to SIDS.
  • Further investigation into PACAP deficiency could provide a valuable model for SIDS research.

Keywords:
PACAPanimal modelneuropeptidesudden infant death syndrome

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