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Dear listfriends, Aspartame has been on my mind for quite some time, and I've been seeking references that might indicate adverse reactions are possible for some people. Thanks to a professional listserve and some diligent work on the part of other concerned RDs, a study has indeed surfaced. Although a single study is rarely conclusive, I believe that the results of this study warrant further research, and that PWP would be well advised to discontinue use of aspartame, at least if they experience mood disorders. For those interested, here it is: Walton RG, Hudak R, Green-Waite RJ. Department of Psychiatry, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Youngstown. Adverse reactions to aspartame: double-blind challenge in patients from a vulnerable population. Biol Psychiatry 1993 Jul 1-15; 34(1-2):13-7. This study was designed to ascertain whether individuals with mood disorders are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of aspartame. Although the protocol required the recruitment of 40 patients with unipolar depression and a similar number of individuals without a psychiatric history, the project was halted by the Institutional Rview Board after a total of 13 individuals had completed the study because of the severity of reactions within the group of patients with a history of depression. In a crossover design, subjects received aspartame 30 mg/kg/day or placebo 7 days. Despite the small n, there was a significant difference between aspartame and placebo in number and severity of symptoms for patients with a history of depression, whereas for individuals without such a history there was not. We conclude that individuals with mood disorders are particularly sensitive to this artificial sweetener and its use in this population should be discouraged. -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD "Nutrition you can live with!" Medical nutrition therapy Tel: 970-493-6532 // Fax: 970-493-6538