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(Ivanhoe Newswire) New research sheds light on what may be the cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Scientists have developed a mouse model and discovered that an imbalance in the brainstem causes SIDS in mice.
SIDS is the leading cause of death during the first year of life in developed countries. Previous research has shown victims of SIDS have alterations in their brainstem neurons that communicate with serotonin. However, it was not completely understood how this played a role in SIDS.
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Researchers in Italy modified the serotonin system in mice to understand the role of the signaling molecule in the brainstem. They overexpressed a receptor that regulates serotonin signaling. They say at first the mice were normal, but then they experienced sporadic drops in heart rate and body temperature. Half of the mice died during these episodes.
Study authors say these findings, that show deficits in serotonin signaling in the brainstem, are enough to cause sudden death and strongly support the idea it could play a role in SIDS. They hope this mouse model will help doctors come up with new ideas or ways to diagnose babies at risk for SIDS.
SOURCE: Science, 2008
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