Could supplementary dietary tryptophan prevent sudden infant death syndrome?
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep seems to protect infants from developing the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A biological rhythm involving the locus ceruleus and the dorsal raphe nucleus has been related to melatonin and REM sleep. The same rhythm is present in the medial parabrachial nucleus which is an oscilator for pneumotaxic activity. Tryptophan has been shown to be effective in some adult sleep apneas and to increase REM sleep in infants. Tryptophan - serotonin - melatonin deficiencies are suggested as a possible cause of SIDS.
D004032:Diet; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012895:Sleep, REM; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014364:Tryptophan