Possible Psychiatric Reactions to Monosodium Glutamate

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Abstract
To the Editor: Two family members have demonstrated adverse reactions to monosodium glutamate that include psychiatric symptoms not previously described in this syndrome.My wife is a 38-year-old woman in good health with no previous history of psychiatric disorder. She had the typical acute five-hour to 12-hour monosodium glutamate reaction (including face and neck tightness, pressure behind the eyes, flushing, burning sensations in the chest and abdominal discomfort) after meals in restaurants and at home that included monosodium glutamate as a food additive.1 , 2 In addition to the acute symptoms, she and her friends and family noted a longer-term psychologic effect . . .