PKU: High plasma phenylalanine concentrations are associated with increased prevalence of mood swings
article
In phenylketonuria, knowledge about the relation between behavior and plasma phenylalanine is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine whether high phenylalanine is associated with disturbed behavior noticed by the patient and or close environment (parents or partners). 48 early treated PKU patients (median age 8.5, range 0-35. years) participated (median phenylalanine concentration in total sample 277 (range 89-1171) µmol/l; and in patients < 12 years 238 (range 89-521) µmol/l). After sending blood samples, patients or close environment were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire whether they noticed hyperactivity, annoying behavior, mood swings and introvert or extravert behavior. The interviewer as well as the respondents were blinded with regard to the phenylalanine concentration. Results: Patients reported less deviant behavior compared to close environment. Mood swings were positively associated with phenylalanine concentrations in the total group (P = 0.039) and patients < 12 years (P = 0.042). The relationships between temporary high phenylalanine concentrations and hyperactivity, annoying behavior, introvert and extravert behavior were not statistically significant. Conclusion: there is a positive association between phenylalanine concentrations and mood swings. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.
TNO Identifier
443685
ISSN
10967192
Source
Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 104(3), pp. 231-234.
Pages
231-234
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