Aspartame: neuropsychologic and neurophysiologic evaluation of acute and chronic effects.
BACKGROUND
Neurobehavioral symptoms have been reported anecdotally with aspartame.


OBJECTIVE
This study sought to determine whether aspartame can disrupt cognitive, neurophysiologic, or behavioral functioning in normal individuals.


METHODS
Forty-eight healthy volunteers completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. The first month was aspartame free. Subjects then consumed sodas and capsules with placebo, aspartame, or sucrose for 20 d each. Order was randomized and subjects were assigned to either a high- (45 mg x kg body wt(-1) x d(-1)) or low- (15 mg x kg body wt(-1) x d(-1)) dose aspartame group. Neuropsychologic and laboratory testing was done on day 10 of each treatment period to determine possible acute effects and on day 20 for possible chronic effects.


RESULTS
Plasma phenylalanine concentrations increased significantly during aspartame treatment. Neuropsychologic results; adverse experiences; amino acid, insulin, and glucose values; and electroencephalograms were compared by sex and by treatment. No significant differences were found for any dependent measure.


CONCLUSIONS
Large daily doses of aspartame had no effect on neuropsychologic, neurophysiologic, or behavioral functioning in healthy young adults.
Spiers
P A
PA
Clinical Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
Sabounjian
L
L
Reiner
A
A
Myers
D K
DK
Wurtman
J
J
Schomer
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D001218:Aspartame / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000097:blood; D011581:Psychological Tests
D001786:Blood Glucose; D010649:Phenylalanine; D001218:Aspartame