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Table 4 Human studies of MSG which were referenced by ICHD-III beta but were not complied with the criteria for the systematic review

From: Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache? : a systematic review of human studies

First author

Vehicle for MSG administration

Protocol

Number of subjects

Incidence of headache

Statistical difference

Gore M (1980) [16]

150Ā ml cold tap water

After an overnight fast, subjects ingested, on different days, 1.5, 3, 6Ā g MSG and three paired placebo materials, the order of each pair being randomized. (There was no indication about the content "three paired placebo materials")

30 men, 25 women

[Total number of positive responses by 3 doses] MSG: 8 episodes (7 subjects), Placebo: 2 episodes (2 subjects)

No difference (Fisher test) Statistical analysis in each symptom was not performed in the paper.

Kenny RA (1972) [17]

150Ā ml tomato juice

(Phase 1) 2Ā h after breakfast, 5Ā g MSG on1 day and 0.8Ā g NaCl on the other 2Ā days. Breakfast type: (1)no breakfast (2)liquids (milk, coffee, juice) or instant breakfast (3)largely of carbohydrate(cereal, toast, etc.) (4)containing protein (eggs, ham, etc.)

(Phase 1) 77 subjects

[Number of positive responses] MSG : 4, Placebo : 2

No difference (Fisher test) Statistical analysis was not performed in the paper.

150Ā ml tomato juice (J) or water (W)

(Phase 2) JP1 : 0.8Ā g NaCl, WP: 0.7Ā g NaCl, WM5 : 5Ā g MSGā€‰+ā€‰0.2Ā g NaCl, JM1 : 1Ā g MSG, JM2 : 2Ā g MSG, JM3 : 3Ā g MSG, JM4 : 4Ā g MSG, JP2 : 0.8Ā g NaCl

(Phase 2) 22 out of 25 subjects, who reacted only to MSG on phase 1 study

[Number of positive responses / subjects] JM1 : 1 /15, JM2 : 2/13, JM3 : 4/13, JM4 : 5/14, WM5 : 8/17

Since the incidence of placebo group (JP1, WP, JP2) is not shown, statistical analysis cannot be done.