Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 9 July 1971:
Vol. 173. no. 3992, pp. 149 - 152
DOI: 10.1126/science.173.3992.149
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Brain Serotonin Content: Physiological Dependence on Plasma Tryptophan Levels

John D. Fernstrom 1 and R. J. Wurtman 1

1 Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139

Brain serotonin cocentrations at 1 p.m. were significantly elevated 1 hour after rats received a dose of L-tryptophan (12.5 milligrams per kilogram. intraperitoneally) smaller than one-twentieth of the normal daily dietary intake. Plasma and brain tryptophan levels were elevated 10 to 60 minutes after the injection, but they never exceeded the concentrationis that occur nocturnally in untreated aninmals as result of their normal 24-hour rhythms. These data suggest that physiological changes in plasma tryptophan concentration influenice brain serotonin levels.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Review: Serotonin by stress interaction: a susceptibility factor for the development of depression?.
C. Firk and C. R. Markus (2007)
J Psychopharmacol 21, 538-544
   Abstract »    PDF »
Oral L-glutamine increases GABA levels in striatal tissue and extracellular fluid.
L. Wang, T. J. Maher, and R. J. Wurtman (2007)
FASEB J 21, 1227-1232
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Regulation of sexual behaviour in male macaques by sex steroid modulation of the serotonergic system.
G. M. Barrett, M. Bardi, A. K. Z. Guillen, A. Mori, and K. Shimizu (2006)
Exp Physiol 91, 445-456
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Exercise, Serum Free Tryptophan, and Central Fatigue.
J. D. Fernstrom and M. H. Fernstrom (2006)
J. Nutr. 136, 553S-559S
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Heterogeneity of serum tryptophan concentration and availability to the brain in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome.
A. A.-B. Badawy, C. J. Morgan, M. B. Llewelyn, S. R.J. Albuquerque, and A. Farmer (2005)
J Psychopharmacol 19, 385-391
   Abstract »    PDF »
Acute tryptophan or tyrosine depletion test: time for reappraisal?.
A. A.-B. Badawy (2005)
J Psychopharmacol 19, 429-430
   PDF »
Influence of supplemental magnesium, tryptophan, vitamin C, and vitamin E on stress responses of pigs to vibration.
E. Peeters, A. Neyt, F. Beckers, S. De Smet, A. E. Aubert, and R. Geers (2005)
J Anim Sci 83, 1568-1580
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Evening intake of {alpha}-lactalbumin increases plasma tryptophan availability and improves morning alertness and brain measures of attention.
C R. Markus, L. M Jonkman, J. H. Lammers, N. E. Deutz, M. H Messer, and N. Rigtering (2005)
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition 81, 1026-1033
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Effects of normal meals rich in carbohydrates or proteins on plasma tryptophan and tyrosine ratios.
R. J Wurtman, J. J Wurtman, M. M Regan, J. M McDermott, R. H Tsay, and J. J Breu (2003)
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition 77, 128-132
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Whey protein rich in {alpha}-lactalbumin increases the ratio of plasma tryptophan to the sum of the other large neutral amino acids and improves cognitive performance in stress-vulnerable subjects.
C R. Markus, B. Olivier, and E. H. de Haan (2002)
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition 75, 1051-1056
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cortisol, serotonin and depression: all stressed out?.
P.J. COWEN (2002)
The British Journal of Psychiatry 180, 99-100
   Full Text »    PDF »
Food Choice in Hyperthyroidism: Potential Influence of the Autonomic Nervous System and Brain Serotonin Precursor Availability.
H. Pijl, P. H. E. M. de Meijer, J. Langius, C. I. G. M. Coenegracht, A. H. M. van den Berk, P. K. Chandie Shaw, H. Boom, R. C. Schoemaker, A. F. Cohen, J. Burggraaf, et al. (2001)
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 86, 5848-5853
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Peripheral Signals Conveying Metabolic Information to the Brain: Short-Term and Long-Term Regulation of Food Intake and Energy Homeostasis.
P. J. Havel (2001)
Experimental Biology and Medicine 226, 963-977
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Alcohol-induced euphoria: exclusion of serotonin.
C. J. Morgan and A. A.-B. Badawy (2001)
Alcohol Alcohol. 36, 22-25
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The bovine protein {alpha}-lactalbumin increases the plasma ratio of tryptophan to the other large neutral amino acids, and in vulnerable subjects raises brain serotonin activity, reduces cortisol concentration, and improves mood under stress.
C R. Markus, B. Olivier, G. E. Panhuysen, J. Van der Gugten, M. S Alles, A. Tuiten, H. G. Westenberg, D. Fekkes, H. F Koppeschaar, and E. E. de Haan (2000)
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition 71, 1536-1544
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Liquid Concentrates Are Lower in Bioavailable Tryptophan than Powdered Infant Formulas, and Tryptophan Supplementation of Formulas Increases Brain Tryptophan and Serotonin in Rats.
G. Sarwar and H. G. Botting (1999)
J. Nutr. 129, 1692-1697
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Role of Serotonin in the Paradoxical Calming Effect of Psychostimulants on Hyperactivity.
R. R. Gainetdinov, W. C. Wetsel, S. R. Jones, E. D. Levin, M. Jaber, and M. G. Caron (1999)
Science 283, 397-401
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Effect of acute tryptophan depletion on mood and appetite in healthy female volunteers.
A.D. Oldman, A.E.S. Walsh, P. Salkovskis, D.A. Laver, and P.J. Cowen (1994)
J Psychopharmacol 8, 8-13
   Abstract »    PDF »
The Addition of Lithium to Carbamazepine: Antidepressant Efficacy in Treatment-Resistant Depression.
K. G. Kramlinger and R. M. Post (1989)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 46, 794-800
   Abstract »    PDF »
Serotonin Function in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Comparison of the Effects of Tryptophan and m-Chlorophenylpiperazine in Patients and Healthy Subjects.
D. S. Charney, W. K. Goodman, L. H. Price, S. W. Woods, S. A. Rasmussen, and G. R. Heninger (1988)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 45, 177-185
   Abstract »    PDF »
Potential Neurotoxicity of Tryptophan.
A. FREESE, K. J. SCHWARTZ, and M. DURING (1988)
Ann Intern Med 108, 312-313
   Abstract »    PDF »
Nutritional Biochemistry and Behavioral Disabilities.
D. Fishbein and J. Meduski (1987)
J Learn Disabil 20, 505-512
   Abstract »    PDF »
Serotonin Function in Panic Disorders: The Effect of Intravenous Tryptophan in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Panic Disorder Before and During Alprazolam Treatment.
D. S. Charney and G. R. Heninger (1986)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 43, 1059-1065
   Abstract »    PDF »
Serotonin Function and Mechanism of Action of Antidepressant Treatment: Effects of Amitriptyline and Desipramine.
D. S. Charney, G. R. Heninger, and D. E. Sternberg (1984)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 41, 359-365
   Abstract »    PDF »
Serotonergic Function in Depression: Prolactin Response to Intravenous Tryptophan in Depressed Patients and Healthy Subjects.
G. R. Heninger, D. S. Charney, and D. E. Sternberg (1984)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 41, 398-402
   Abstract »    PDF »
Social and Environmental Influences on Blood Serotonin Concentrations in Monkeys.
M. J. Raleigh, M. T. McGuire, G. L. Brammer, and A. Yuwiler (1984)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 41, 405-410
   Abstract »    PDF »
Short-term and Repetitive Administration of Oral Tryptophan in Normal Men: Effects on Blood Tryptophan, Serotonin, and Kynurenine Concentrations.
A. Yuwiler, G. L. Brammer, J. E. Morley, M. J. Raleigh, J. W. Flannery, and E. Geller (1981)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 38, 619-626
   Abstract »    PDF »
Tyrosine administration decreases vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation in the normal canine heart.
N. Scott, R. DeSilva, B Lown, and R. Wurtman (1981)
Science 211, 727-729
   Abstract »    PDF »
Treatment of Brain Disease with Dietary Precursors of Neurotransmitters.
J. H. GROWDON, E. L. COHEN, and R. J. WURTMAN (1977)
Ann Intern Med 86, 337-339
   Abstract »    PDF »
Total and Free Plasma Tryptophan Levels in Patients With Affective Disorders: Effects of a Peripheral Decarboxylase Inhibitor.
P. E. Garfinkel, J. J. Warsh, H. C. Stancer, and D. Sibony (1976)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 33, 1462-1466
   Abstract »    PDF »
Serotonin Metabolism in Pellagra.
T. C. Raghuram and K. Krishnaswamy (1975)
Arch Neurol 32, 708-710
   Abstract »    PDF »
Amine Precursors and Depression.
J. Mendels, J. L. Stinnett, D. Burns, and A. Frazer (1975)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 32, 22-30
   Abstract »    PDF »
Hypnotic Effects of L-Tryptophan.
E. Hartmann and J. Cravens (1974)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 31, 394-397
   Abstract »    PDF »
Cerebral Monoamines and Depression: An Investigation With the Probenecid Technique.
H. M. van Praag and J. Korf (1973)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 28, 827-831
   Abstract »    PDF »
Short- and Long-Term Lithium Administration: Effects on the Brain's Serotonergic Biosynthetic Systems.
S. Knapp and A. J. Mandell (1973)
Science 180, 645-647
   Abstract »    PDF »
Narcotic Tolerance and Dependence and Serotonin Turnover.
R. J. Hitzemann, I. K. Ho, H. H. Loh, D. L. Cheney, and E. Costa (1972)
Science 178, 645-647
   PDF »
Brain Serotonin Content: Physiological Regulation by Plasma Neutral Amino Acids.
J. D. Fernstrom and R. J. Wurtman (1972)
Science 178, 414-416
   Abstract »    PDF »
Acute Psychosis Induced by Psychotomimetic Drug Abuse: II. Neurochemical Findings.
M. B. Bowers Jr. (1972)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 27, 440-442
   Abstract »    PDF »
Brain Serotonin Content: Increase Following Ingestion of Carbohydrate Diet.
J. D. Fernstrom and R. J. Wurtman (1971)
Science 174, 1023-1025
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)