Aspartame use and Parkinson’s disease: review of associated effects on neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, and cognition

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this review was to assess the current evidence regarding the associated physiological and cognitive effects of aspartame (APM) consumption and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Methods: A total of 32 studies demonstrating effects of APM on monoamine deficiencies, oxidative stress, and cognitive changes were reviewed. Results: Multiple studies demonstrated decreased brain dopamine, decreased brain norepinephrine, increased oxidative stress, increased lipid peroxidation, and decreased memory function in rodents after APM use. In addition, PD animal models have been found to be more sensitive to the effects of APM. Discussion: Overall, studies of APM use over time yielded more consistent results; however, no study has examined long-term effects on APM in human PD patients. Based on the current evidence, long-term human based observational research is needed to further investigate the potential effect of APM on PD.

KEYWORDS:

• Aspartame
• Parkinson’s disease
• movement disorders‌
• oxidative stress
• monoamine neurotransmitters
• dopamine
• norepinephrine
• serotonin‌
• behavior
• learning & memory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Daniel J. Kushigian

Dr. Daniel J. Kushigian is a neurology resident (PGY2) at Umass Chan Medical School. He graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine, earning an M.D. and M.P.H. His interests include movement disorders, medical education, and neuropsychiatry.

Okeanis E. Vaou

Dr. Okeanis E. Vaou is the Vice Chair of Faculty Development, division Chief of Movement Disorders and Associate Professor at UT Health at San Antonio. She specializes in treating patients with Parkinson's Disease, Atypical Parkinson's, and other movement disorders. Dr. Vaou is also Board Certified in Sleep Medicine with a focus on treating sleep disorders associated with movement disorders. Her interests include deep brain stimulation, medical education, and sleep disorders in Parkinson's Disease.