Histochemical fluorescence of raphe neurons: selective enhancement by tryptophan.
The histochemical fluorescence of those neurons in brainstem raphe nuclei which are presumed to contain serotonin is selectively and stereospecifically enhanced by L-tryptophan at doses that also produce an elevation in the concentration of serotonin. However, contrary to our assumptions, the increase in raphe fluorescence is not prevented by p-chlorophenylalanine, an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis. These results suggest that under some conditions derivatives of tryptophan other than, or in addition to, serotonin may be of significance in raphe neurons.
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000166:cytology*; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005453:Fluorescence; D005470:Fluorometry; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D010134:Fenclonine