title: Precursor amino acid concentrations in normal weight bulimics and normal controls.
abstract: 1. CNS serotonergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the control of appetitive behavior. The ratio of plasma tryptophan (TRP) to other large neutral amino acids (LNAA) is believed to regulate CNS serotonin (5-HT) synthesis. 2. After an overnight fast, plasma TRP ratios were determined in 23 normal weight bulimics and 7 normal controls. 3. All subjects were assessed for mood disorder using a SADS interview and Beck Depression ratings. 4. There was no significant difference in TRP ratios between bulimics and normal controls. TRP ratios in depressed bulimics were not significantly different from those of nondepressed bulimics. 5. Potential abnormalities in CNS serotonergic function in bulimics are not reflected in decreased baseline TRP ratios. Further investigation of the dynamic serotonergic system may prove fruitful. 6. Reduced availability of tryptophan for conversion to serotonin is not likely to be the postulated biological abnormality common to both depression and bulimia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Lydiard
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: O'Neil
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schlesier-Carter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ballenger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D002032:Bulimia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan