title: Interest of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) as a neuroendocrine marker in depressive illness. A negative report.
abstract: Among 8 primary depressives, 4 schizophrenics, 4 manics and 4 normal controls, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the precursor of serotonin (200 mg p.o.), appears devoid of any stimulating activity on the liberation of growth hormone (GH). So, 5-HTP test can not be useful as a specific neuroendocrine marker of serotoninergic metabolism in depressive patients.
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan