Monosodium glutamate affects cognitive functions in male albino rats

Background: Monosodium Glutamate is a silent toxin in our food, especially our kids' food. Some of the products in the market contain MSG in a level exceed the European limit. Method: Sixty male albino rats divided into three groups, control group, and treated groups, the first with a low dose of MSG (1/20 LD50) and the second with a high dose of MSG (1/10 LD50). All animals examined for cognitive function, serotonin level. The second part in this study, examination of some commercial food for the presence of MSG and its level by HPLC. Results: MSG affected the cognitive function of treated rats in small and high doses of MSG. The weight of the animals in treated group with a high dose of MSG was significantly increased in comparison with the control group. Also, the cognitive function of the rats administered MSG affected significantly either in low dose and in high dose. Some of the studied commercial food in the market like Kapsa and Indomi contains a higher level of MSG more than the European limit. Conclusion: MSG has many dangerous effects on health especially kids, so it is so necessary to declare its presence or absence and level on the labels of the products.