title: The effect of L-tryptophan on seasonal affective disorder.
abstract: Serotonin has been implicated in the etiology of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The authors compared the effect of the serotonergic precursor L-tryptophan, placebo, and artificial evening light on 13 SAD sufferers. L-Tryptophan and light were associated with greater improvement than was placebo, but the antidepressant effects of L-tryptophan and light were not significantly different.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ 07666.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buckwald
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Resnick
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012621:Seasons; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan