title: Lack of effect of aspartame or of L-phenylalanine on photically induced myoclonus in the baboon, Papio papio.
abstract: The effects of large doses of L-phenylalanine and of aspartame on seizure susceptibility and severity have been assessed in baboons Papio papio from Senegal which show photosensitive epileptic responses similar to primary generalised epilepsy in man. L-Phenylalanine, 50, 150 or 450 mg/kg, or aspartame, 300 or 1000 mg/kg, were administered orally. Peak plasma L-phenylalanine concentrations of approximately 2000 mumoles/l occurred 1-4 h after the highest dose of L-phenylalanine or aspartame. The plasma L-phenylalanine to large neutral amino acid ratio increased approximately 30-fold at this time. Compared with water administration there were no changes in epileptic responses 1-5 h after either treatment. In this primate model of epilepsy acute increases in plasma phenylalanine concentration are neither pro- nor anticonvulsant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, U.K.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Meldrum
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nanji
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Cornell
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003292:Convulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010215:Papio; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation
chemical_list: D003292:Convulsants; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D010649:Phenylalanine