Aspartame : neuropsychologic and neurophysiologic evaluation of acute and chronic effects

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 68; no. 3; pp. 531 - 537
• Main Authors: SPIERS, P. A, SABOUNJIAN, L, REINER, A, MYERS, D. K, WURTMAN, J, SCHOMER, D. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Society for Clinical Nutrition 01.09.1998; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Artificial sweeteners; Aspartame - administration & dosage; Aspartame - adverse effects; Behavior; Behavior - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Cognition - drug effects; Cross-Over Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Electroencephalography - drug effects; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Nervous System - drug effects; Neurology; Phenylalanine - blood; Psychological Tests; Psychology; Side effects; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Aspartame; Mood; Phenylalanine; Diet; Aminoacid; Neuropsychological test; Cognition; Electroencephalography; Substitute; Student; Feeding
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/68.3.531

Neurobehavioral symptoms have been reported anecdotally with aspartame. This study sought to determine whether aspartame can disrupt cognitive, neurophysiologic, or behavioral functioning in normal individuals. 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. 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. Large daily doses of aspartame had no effect on neuropsychologic, neurophysiologic, or behavioral functioning in healthy young adults.