title: Biochemical and behavioural effects of acute tryptophan depletion in abstinent bulimic subjects: a pilot study.
abstract: We studied the effect of acute tryptophan (TRP) depletion in a group of eight abstinent bulimic (BN) subjects and in 12 healthy female controls. Despite being free of episodes of binge-eating and vomiting for a prolonged period, the abstinent BN subjects still appeared to practice dietary restrain as judged by their food intake in a test meal. In addition, their plasma TRP concentrations were significantly lower than those of the controls. Administration of a TRP-free amino acid load (52 g) significantly lowered plasma total and free TRP. However, compared to a balanced amino acid load, this procedure did not have significant effects on mood, appetite or food intake in either the abstinent BN subjects or the healthy controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oldman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salkovskis
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Fairburn
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cowen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D014364:Tryptophan