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Science 11 June 1971:
Vol. 172. no. 3988, pp. 1159 - 1161
DOI: 10.1126/science.172.3988.1159
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Articles

Histochemical Fluorescence of Raphe Neurons: Selective Enhancement by Tryptophan

George K. Aghajanian 1 and Irving M. Asher 1

1 Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine and Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven 06519

The histochemical fluorescence of those neurons in brainstem raphe nuclei which are presumed to contain serotonin is selectively and stereospecifically enhanced by L-tryptophan at doses that also produce an elevation in the concentration of serotonin. However, contrary to our assumptions, the increase in raphe fluorescence is not prevented by p-chlorophenylalanine, an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis. These results suggest that under some conditions derivatives of tryptophan other than, or in addition to, serotonin may be of significance in raphe neurons.


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