Serotonin Imbalance Linked To SIDS

Scientists suggest a chemical imbalance with serotonin (a neurotransmitter that helps brain cells to communicate) may be linked to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Researchers from Italy have engineered mice born with serotonin that goes haywire and found the brain disfunction is enough to trigger sudden death. Researchers are now working on a test that would allow doctors to test babies from SIDS before it happens.

SIDS causes 2,000 U.S. death a year. SIDS triggers those who are between 1 month and 1 year old. Babies are usually healthy and have no other symptoms before death.