Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 21 February 1969:
Vol. 163. no. 3869, pp. 826 - 828
DOI: 10.1126/science.163.3869.826
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Monosodium L-Glutamate: Its Pharmacology and Role in the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome

Herbert H. Schaumburg 1, Robert Byck 2, Robert Gerstl 3, and Jan H. Mashman 4

1 Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
2 Departments of Pharmacology and Rehabilitation Medicine
3 Department of Pharmacology
4 Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology

Monosodium L-glutamate is the cause of the Chinese restaurant syndrome and can precipitate headaches. In appropriate doses it causes burning sensations, facial pressure, and chest pain. These are pharmacological effects obeying a dose-effect relationship. There is considerable variation in oral threshold does among individuals.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Effect of Systemic Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) on Headache and Pericranial Muscle Sensitivity.
L Baad-Hansen, B. Cairns, M Ernberg, and P Svensson (2010)
Cephalalgia 30, 68-76
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
'That Won-Ton Soup Headache': The Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, MSG and the Making of American Food, 1968-1980.
I. Mosby (2009)
Soc Hist Med 22, 133-151
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Letter to the editor.
E. Olatunde Farombi (2007)
Human and Experimental Toxicology 26, 835-836
   PDF »
Platelet Glutamate Uptake and Release in Migraine With and Without Aura.
M Vaccaro, C Riva, L Tremolizzo, M Longoni, A Aliprandi, E Agostoni, A Rigamonti, M Leone, G Bussone, and C Ferrarese (2007)
Cephalalgia 27, 35-40
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Monosodium glutamate-induced oxidative damage and genotoxicity in the rat: modulatory role of vitamin C, vitamin E and quercetin.
E O Farombi and O O Onyema (2006)
Human and Experimental Toxicology 25, 251-259
   Abstract »    PDF »
Hydrogen Sulphide Headache and Other Rare, Global Headaches: Vaga Study.
O Sjaastad and L. Bakketeig (2006)
Cephalalgia 26, 466-476
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Synergistic Interactions between Commonly Used Food Additives in a Developmental Neurotoxicity Test.
K. Lau, W. G. McLean, D. P. Williams, and C. V. Howard (2006)
Toxicol. Sci. 90, 178-187
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Nature of Human Hazards Associated with Excessive Intake of Amino Acids.
P. J. Garlick (2004)
J. Nutr. 134, 1633S-1639S
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Review of Alleged Reaction to Monosodium Glutamate and Outcome of a Multicenter Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.
R. S. Geha, A. Beiser, C. Ren, R. Patterson, P. A. Greenberger, L. C. Grammer, A. M. Ditto, K. E. Harris, M. A. Shaughnessy, P. R. Yarnold, et al. (2000)
J. Nutr. 130, 1058
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Environmental Illness-Reply.
D. W. Black (1991)
JAMA 265, 2337
   Abstract »    PDF »
Food Allergy.
H. A> Sampson, R. H. Buckley, and D. D. Metcalfe (1987)
JAMA 258, 2886-2890
   Abstract »    PDF »
In Vivo Diagnostic Testing and Immunotherapy for Allergy: Report I, Part I, of the Allergy Panel.
Council on Scientific Affairs (1987)
JAMA 258, 1363-1367
   Abstract »    PDF »
Monosodium Glutamania: The Chinese Restaurant Syndrome Revisited.
J. W. Cochran and A. H. Cochran (1984)
JAMA 252, 899
   Abstract »    PDF »
Food Allergy.
R. H. Buckley and D. Metcalfe (1982)
JAMA 248, 2627-2631
   Abstract »    PDF »
Chinese Restaurant Syndrome in an Infant.
R. S. Asnes (1980)
Clinical Pediatrics 19, 705-706
   PDF »
Migraine, Headache, and Related Conditions--Panel 7.
O. Appenzeller, R. G. Feldman, and A. P. Friedman (1979)
Arch Neurol 36, 784-805
   Abstract »    PDF »
Migraine: II. Treatment.
J. R. Saper (1978)
JAMA 239, 2480-2484
   Abstract »    PDF »
MSG-Reply.
L. M. Bartoshuk, W. S. Cain, C. T. Cleveland, L. E. Marks, J. C. Stevens, and J. A. J. Stolwijk (1975)
JAMA 233, 225
   Abstract »    PDF »
Saltiness of Monosodium Glutamate And Sodium Intake.
L. M. Bartoshuk, W. S. Cain, C. T. Cleveland, L. S. Grossman, L. E. Marks, J. C. Stevens, and J. A. J. Stolwijk (1974)
JAMA 230, 670
   Abstract »    PDF »
Monosodium Glutamate: Feeding of Large Amounts in Man and Gerbils.
G. Bazzano, J. A. D'Elia, and R. E. Olson (1970)
Science 169, 1208-1209
   Abstract »    PDF »
Human biological adaptability. The ecological approach in physical anthropology..
G. W. Lasker (1969)
Science 166, 1480-1486
   PDF »
Brain Lesions, Obesity, and Other Disturbances in Mice Treated with Monosodium Glutamate.
J. W. Olney (1969)
Science 164, 719-721
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)