title: Depression vulnerability and 5-hydroxytryptophan prophylaxis.
abstract: Previous studies have indicated that (1) The group of vital (endogenous) depressions encompasses a subgroup with a central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) deficiency. (2) Abolition of this deficiency--with the aid of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a 5-HT precursor, or clomipramine, a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor--leads to abatement of depressive symptoms. It therefore seems plausible that the suspected 5-HT deficiency contributes to the development of depressive symptoms instead of resulting from them. (3) In a majority of patients, the suspected 5-HT deficiency persists even when the depressive symptoms have disappeared and the medication has been discontinued. This suggested that the disturbed central 5-HT metabolism is not a direct causal, but a predisposing factor. If so, abolition of the suspected 5-HT deficiency, e.g., with the aid of 5-HTP, would be expected to have a prophylactic effect. As predicted, 5-HTP was found in the present study to reduce the relapse rate in recurrent vital depressions with both a unipolar and bipolar course. The prophylactic effect was most pronounced in patients with persistent disorders of central 5-HT metabolism; this observation, however, requires corroboration. 5-HTP prophylaxis is the first aimed (i.e., pathological substrate-oriented) type of chemoprophylaxis known in psychiatry.
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan