Serotoninergic receptor 1A in the sudden infant death syndrome brainstem medulla and associations with clinical risk factors.
The immunoreactivity of the serotoninergic receptor subtype 1A (5HT(1A)R) was quantitatively analyzed in the human infant brainstem medulla (caudal and rostral levels). We hypothesized that immunoreactivity of 5HT(1A)R would be reduced in infants diagnosed with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In particular that those infants with known clinical risk factors (including cigarette smoke exposure, bed sharing and sleep position) would have greater changes than those without clinical risks. Comparing SIDS (n = 67) to infants who died suddenly with another diagnosis (non-SIDS, n = 25), we found decreased 5HT(1A)R immunoreactivity in the majority of the nuclei studied at the rostral medulla level including dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMNV), nucleus of the solitary tract, vestibular, and inferior olivary nucleus (ION). There was a significant relationship with all risk factors for 5HT(1A)R, especially for DMNV, suggesting that 5HT(1A)Rs are highly vulnerable to various insults within the SIDS DMNV. This study not only provides further evidence of abnormalities within the brainstem serotoninergic system of SIDS infants, but also shows that these changes may be associated with exposure to clinical risk factors.
Machaalani
Rita
R
Department of Medicine, The Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. ritam@med.usyd.edu.au
Say
Meichien
M
Waters
Karen A
KA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001344:Autopsy; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000032:analysis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012890:Sleep; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A