The Effect of Dietary Tartrazine on Brain Dopamine and the Behavioral Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
The Effect of Dietary Tartrazine on Brain Dopamine and the Behavioral Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Date
2016-05
Authors
Bloom, Shoshana
Chiang, Kevin
Demehri, Sharlene
Kreshpanji, Sara
McCaffrey, Erin
Patel, Karishma
Sebastian, Tracy
Shan, Salwa
Sukri, Leah
Advisor
Castonguay, Thomas W.
Citation
DRUM DOI
Abstract
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder
correlated with a decrease in brain dopamine and an increase in behavioral symptoms
of hyperactivity and impulsivity. This experiment explored how tartrazine (Yellow
#5) impacts these symptoms. After tartrazine administration to Spontaneously
Hypertensive Rats (SHR), dopamine concentrations in regions of brain tissue were
measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay analysis. Behavioral testing
with a T-maze and open field test measured impulsivity and hyperactivity,
respectively. Results indicate that dietary tartrazine increases hyperactive behaviors in
the SHR. However, results do not indicate a relationship between dietary tartrazine
and brain dopamine. No conclusions regarding the relationship between dietary
tartrazine and impulsivity were drawn.