TY - JOUR
T1 - Serotonin Function and the Mechanism of Antidepressant Action
T2 - Reversal of Antidepressant-Induced Remission by Rapid Depletion of Plasma Tryptophan
AU - Delgado, Pedro L.
AU - Charney, Dennis S.
AU - Price, Lawrence H.
AU - Aghajanian, George K.
AU - Landis, Harold
AU - Heninger, George R.
PY - 1990/5
Y1 - 1990/5
N2 - Brain serotonin content is dependent on plasma levels of the essential amino acid tryptophan. We investigated the behavioral effects of rapid tryptophan depletion in patients in antidepressant-induced remission. Twenty-one patients who were depressed by DSM-III-R criteria received a 24-hour, 160-mg/d, lowtryptophan diet followed the next morning by a 16—amino acid drink, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled (acute tryptophan depletion and control testing), crossover fashion. Total and free tryptophan levels decreased 87% and 91%, respectively, during acute tryptophan depletion. Fourteen of the 21 remitted depressed patients receiving antidepressants experienced a depressive relapse after the tryptophan-free amino acid drink, with gradual (24 to 48 hours) return to the remitted state on return to regular food intake. Control testing produced no significant behavioral effects. Free plasma tryptophan level was negatively correlated with depression score during acute tryptophan depletion. The therapeutic effects of some antidepressant drugs may be dependent on serotonin availability.
AB - Brain serotonin content is dependent on plasma levels of the essential amino acid tryptophan. We investigated the behavioral effects of rapid tryptophan depletion in patients in antidepressant-induced remission. Twenty-one patients who were depressed by DSM-III-R criteria received a 24-hour, 160-mg/d, lowtryptophan diet followed the next morning by a 16—amino acid drink, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled (acute tryptophan depletion and control testing), crossover fashion. Total and free tryptophan levels decreased 87% and 91%, respectively, during acute tryptophan depletion. Fourteen of the 21 remitted depressed patients receiving antidepressants experienced a depressive relapse after the tryptophan-free amino acid drink, with gradual (24 to 48 hours) return to the remitted state on return to regular food intake. Control testing produced no significant behavioral effects. Free plasma tryptophan level was negatively correlated with depression score during acute tryptophan depletion. The therapeutic effects of some antidepressant drugs may be dependent on serotonin availability.
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U2 - 10.1001/archpsyc.1990.01810170011002
DO - 10.1001/archpsyc.1990.01810170011002
M3 - Article
C2 - 2184795
AN - SCOPUS:0025318311
VL - 47
SP - 411
EP - 418
JO - JAMA Psychiatry
JF - JAMA Psychiatry
SN - 2168-622X
IS - 5
ER -