No indication of histological changes in embryonic somatosensory cortex development upon maternal aspartame consumption in mice

Non-nutritive sweeteners are widely used in multiple diets and are considered a healthy alternative for pregnant women reducing sugar consumption, thereby preventing maternal obesity and gestational diabetes. While some controversies have been raised regarding their safety for human consumption, particularly aspartame, the effects of aspartame on prenatal brain development have rarely been studied. In this study, we investigated whether maternal aspartame consumption within a physiologically relevant range for normal daily consumption by humans affects neocortical development in mice. Here we show that daily maternal aspartame consumption at 18% of the European Food Safety Authority-approved daily dosage does not significantly alter the structure of the somatosensory cortex, nor the numbers of excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, astrocytes, or oligodendrocytes in mouse pups less than 48 hours old. These results suggest that aspartame has no detectable impact on somatosensory cortex development in mice. This study provides additional information that can be utilized by expectant mothers making choices about their diet.