title: Lack of effect of tryptophan depletion on the loudness dependency of auditory event related potentials in healthy volunteers.
abstract: It has previously been suggested that auditory event related potentials (AEPs) are a potential marker of central serotonergic (5-HT) activity in man, with the slope of the AEP amplitude stimulus intensity function (ASF-slope) inversely correlating with 5-HT activity. However, two recent studies investigating this hypothesis in healthy subjects by rapidly lowering central 5-HT concentrations using the acute tryptophan depletion paradigm have found no effect on ASF-slope [Biological Psychology, 59 (2002) 121; Psychopharmacology (Berl), 146 (1999) 101]. These studies employed a 50g tryptophan depletion drink, which has been argued may not lower central 5-HT concentrations sufficiently. We here report the effect of tryptophan depletion on the AEP ASF-slope using 100g amino acid drinks with and without tryptophan in 14 healthy male subjects, employing a within subject, double blind, random, balanced order, cross-over design. No significant effect of tryptophan depletion was found on ASF-slope. These negative findings cast further doubt on the hypothesis that the ASF-slope is an indicator of central 5-HT function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle, Leazes Wing, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: McAllister-Williams
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan