Effects of l-tryptophan and various diets on behavioral functions in essential hypertensives.
The effects of tryptophan in combination with two different diets (high-carbohydrate and high-protein diet) on behavioral parameters such as mood, sleep and performance were chronically studied in a group of 34 hypertensive patients undergoing a trial of testing the antihypertensive properties of l-tryptophan. While no major changes in mood were observed, there was a tendency for sleep latency to decrease and sleep duration to increase following tryptophan intake in the intragroup analysis. The administration of tryptophan caused a significant improvement on performance in a concentration task. No significant dietary effects were observed either in combination with tryptophan or in the placebo group. These data again demonstrate behavioral relevance of the precursor amino acid l-tryptophan and suggest a long-term improvement in partial aspects of performance behavior.
Lehnert
H
H
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, III. Medizinische Universitätsklinik Mainz, FRG.
Beyer
J
J
Cloer
E
E
Gutberlet
I
I
Hellhammer
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014364:Tryptophan