salicylates and Learning-Disabilities

Topics: Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Diet; Flavoring Agents; Food Additives; Food Analysis; Food Coloring Agents; Forecasting; Humans; Hyperkinesis; Learning Disabilities; Motor Activity; Salicylates; Schools; Syndrome; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration

Oxidative stress has been implicated in cognitive impairment in both old experimental animals and aged humans. This implication has led to the notion that antioxidant defense mechanisms in the brain are not sufficient to prevent age-related increase in oxidative damage and that dietary intake of a variety of antioxidants might be beneficial for preserving brain function. Here we report a dramatic loss of learning and memory function from 8 to 11 months of age in mice, associated with marked increases in several markers of brain oxidative stress. Chronic systemic administration of two synthetic catalytic scavengers of reactive oxygen species, Eukarion experimental compounds EUK-189 and EUK-207, from 8 to 11 months almost completely reversed cognitive deficits and increase in oxidative stress taking place during this time period in brain. In particular, increase in protein oxidation was completely prevented, whereas increase in lipid peroxidation was decreased by approximately 50%. In addition, we observed a significant negative correlation between contextual fear learning and levels of protein oxidation in brain. These results further support the role of reactive oxygen species in age-related learning impairment and suggest potential clinical applications for synthetic catalytic scavengers of reactive oxygen species.

Topics: Aging; Amygdala; Animals; Antioxidants; Avoidance Learning; Biomarkers; Brain; Catalase; Electroshock; Fear; Female; Hippocampus; Learning Disabilities; Lipid Peroxidation; Memory Disorders; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Molecular Structure; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Organometallic Compounds; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Pain Measurement; Reactive Oxygen Species; Reflex, Startle; Salicylates; Superoxide Dismutase; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Topics: Adolescent; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Food Additives; Humans; Learning Disabilities; Male; Salicylates

A food additive-free diet has been recommended as a component of the treatment of developmental/behavioral disorders in children. This diet was initially developed by Dr. Benjamin Feingold for the treatment of aspirin sensitivity in adults, and then extended by him to the management, particularly, of hyperactivity and learning disability in children. The rationale for this diet and the methods employed in investigating its use are described. The claimed therapeutic effects of this diet have been investigated in a number of well-designed studies reviewed here. These studies generally refute a causal association between food additives and behavioral disturbance in children. Suggestions are made regarding the approach towards food additive-free diet therapy in the management of developmental/behavioral disorders.

Topics: Acting Out; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Feeding Behavior; Food Additives; Food Coloring Agents; Humans; Learning Disabilities; Research; Salicylates

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Food Additives; Humans; Hyperkinesis; Learning Disabilities; Male; Salicylates; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration

Topics: Child; Diet; Food Additives; Humans; Hyperkinesis; Learning Disabilities; Male; Salicylates