AP12881

1405203579SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Protein common to SIDS and Asphyxiation

Mayo Clinic defines SIDS as: unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old. SIDS is sometimes known as crib death because the infants often die in their cribs (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Researchers at the University of Adelaide, Australia, continuing in the study into SIDS have discovered a new (protein) trait in the postmortem brains of infants similar to a specific (protein) of infants dying from asphyxiation. (Science Daily, 2014). [from the pages of Barrett’s Law #3]. The common trait found in the brain is a protein called β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). β-amyloid precursor protein was consistently and uniformly found in all 48 SIDS diagnosed infants. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is an [|integral membrane protein] (being permanently attached to a biological membrane) expressed in many [|tissues] and concentrated in the [|//synapses//] of [|neurons]. Although this proteins’ function isn’t completely understood, it is thought to be a regulator of synapse formation. According to Robert Byard Professor of Pathology at the University of Adelaide and Senior Specialist Forensic Pathologist with Forensic Science South Australia says “evidence of the protein APP could raise the possibility of an inherited sleep apnea problem”. Byard also stated “one case, the presence of APP staining in a baby who had died of SIDS led to the identification of a significant sleep breathing problem, or apnea, in the deceased baby's sibling”. Professor Byard’s work could provide an interesting correlation into SIDS and asphyxia. For instance, if the synaptogenesis or myelination of the brain controlling reticular formation (i.e. breathing) fails to properly form, forms too late, or is damaged the infant may be more susceptible to SIDS or SIDS like anomaly.

References: Mayo Clinic. (2014, May 17). Retrieved from Mayoclinic.org: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20020269 Science Daily. (2014, 4 15). Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140415111318.htm

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