The hormonal response to intravenous 5-hydroxytryptophan in bulimia nervosa.
In recent years evidence has accumulated to implicate a disturbance in serotonin function in the eating disorder bulimia nervosa. This study employs a neuroendocrine technique to assess the effect of intravenous 5-hydroxytryptophan, the immediate precursor to serotonin, on peripheral hormones in bulimia nervosa subjects and controls. Blunted prolactin and growth hormone responses were observed among bulimia nervosa subjects; the possible pathophysiology and implications of the findings are discussed.
Goldbloom
D S
DS
Department of Psychiatry, The Clarke Institute, University of Toronto, Canada.
Garfinkel
P E
PE
Katz
R
R
Brown
G M
GM
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology
D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D006854:Hydrocortisone