Tryptophan, affective disorder and stress. An hypothesis.
Patients suffering from unipolar illness and anticipating a complex investigation, or the first of a series of ECTs, had lower total tryptophan levels than control subjects under the former circumstances. This suggested a qualitative or quantitative difference in response to stress, associated with a fall in the amino acid level. It was hypothesized that this might selectively decrease synthesis of both protein and 5-HT in serotoninergic neurones.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012701:Serotonin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood*
D000596:Amino Acids; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan