title: The therapeutic potential for tryptophan and melatonin: possible roles in depression, sleep, Alzheimer's disease and abnormal aging.
abstract: Evidence suggests that stress and/or a dietary lack of tryptophan may make deficiencies of serotonin and melatonin common. In addition, older animals and human beings have a reduced ability to synthesize melatonin. Disorders of melatonin levels and rhythms are suggested to be a cause of affective disease, abnormal sleep, Alzheimer's disease, and some age related disorders. If these ideas prove to be true, then preventive measures are possible.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Maurizi
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014364:Tryptophan; D008550:Melatonin