Effect of acute tryptophan depletion on emotions in individuals with personal and family history of depression following a mood induction.
BACKGROUND
Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) has shown depletion-specific increases in depressed mood and overall depressive symptoms, especially in those with a family history and in remitted patients. However, its effect on a broad range of emotions beyond depressed mood has been inconsistent, and studies have rarely employed a negative mood induction.


METHODS
The present double-blind study administered tryptophan-depleted and taste-matched placebo challenge drinks to individuals with a past diagnosis and family history of depression (i.e. depression-vulnerable subjects) and controls in order to investigate the effect of ATD on positive affect, anxiety, anger and depressed mood following a negative mood induction.


RESULTS
Certain aspects of positive affect decreased due to ATD in the depression vulnerables but not in the controls. No differential effects were found on depressed mood and anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
A stress-induced blunted hedonic capacity may increase vulnerability to ATD and may be a core emotional abnormality in depression. Additionally, serotonin may have a stronger influence on positive affect than on other depression-related emotions during periods of stress.
Altman
Sarah E
SE
Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1007 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. saltma2@uic.edu
Shankman
Stewart A
SA
Spring
Bonnie
B
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D010919:Placebos; D014364:Tryptophan