Potential Neurotoxicity of Tryptophan

Letters and Corrections1 February 1988Potential Neurotoxicity of TryptophanANDREW FREESE, KENTON J. SCHWARTZ, MATTHEW DURING, M.D.ANDREW FREESESearch for more papers by this author, KENTON J. SCHWARTZSearch for more papers by this author, MATTHEW DURING, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-108-2-312_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: The precursor relationship of plasma or brain tryptophan levels to the bioactive tryptophan metabolite, serotonin, has been well characterized (1). Indeed, based on this relationship, therapeutic interventions for a number of disorders, including insomnia, depression, obesity, hypertension, and aggression, have been established. Because of media coverage, public self-administration of high doses of tryptophan bought at health food stores is common.Although tryptophan is a precursor for serotonin biosynthesis, the metabolism of tryptophan is more complex, occurring through a branched pathway. Various studies have shown that increased plasma and brain levels of tryptophan not only augment levels of...References1. FERNSTROMWURTMAN JR. Brain serotonin content: physiological dependence on plasma tryptophan levels. Science. 1971;173:149-52. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. GALSHERMAN EA. L-Kynurenine: its synthesis and possible regulatory function in brain. Neurochem Res. 1980;53:223-39. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. HEYESMARKEY MS. Effects of pyrazinamide and tryptophan on cortical quinolinic acid content in rats: an animal model of glutaric aciduria, type 1 [Abstract]. Soc for Neuroscience Abstracts. 1987;13:abstract 453.9. Google Scholar4. BEALKOWALLELLISONMAZUREKSWARTZMARTIN MNDMKJ. Replication of the neurochemical characteristics of Huntington's disease by quinolinic acid. Nature. 1986;13:519-26. Google Scholar5. PERKINSSTONE MT. Pharmacology and regional variations of quinolinic acid-evoked excitations in the rat central nervous system. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1983;226:551-7. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT 06510 Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School Boston, MA 02114 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByThe chemistry and pharmacology of alkaloids and allied nitrogen compounds from Artemisia species: A reviewIdentification of tryptophan and β-carboline as paralysins in larvae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitorL-Tryptophan and the Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome: Current Understanding of the Etiology and PathogenesisL-Tryptophan and the Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome: Current Understanding of the Etiology and Pathogenesis.EOSINOPHILIA-MYALGIA SYNDROMEThe Cause and Pathogenesis of the Eosinophilia-Myalgia SyndromeJohn Varga, MD, Jouni Uitto, MD, PhD, Sergio A. Jimenez, MDPostmortem Studies of the Heart in Three Fatal Cases of the Eosinophilia-Myalgia SyndromeThomas N. James, MD, Mary L. Kamb, MD, Glory A. Sandberg, MD, Richard M. Silver, MD, Edwin M. Kilbourne, MDL-Tryptophan: A Pharmaceutical Detective StoryDrugs used in non-orthodox medicineEosinophilia-myalgia syndrome linked to tryptophanPosition of The American Dietetic Association: Nutrition intervention in treatment and recovery from chemical dependencyThe Eosinophilia-Myalgia SyndromeAndrew Freese, Stephen F. Finn, Matthew J. DuringPulmonary Disease Associated with L-tryptophan-induced Eosinophilic Myalgia SyndromeAssociation of the Eosinophilia–Myalgia Syndrome with the Ingestion of TryptophanScleroderma, Fasciitis, and Eosinophilia Associated with the Ingestion of TryptophanBlunted ACTH and cortisol response to afternoon tryptophan infusion in euthymic bipolar patientsNeuroactive metabolises of L-tryptophan, serotonin and quinolinic acid, in striatal extracellular fluid effect of tryptophan loading 1 February 1988Volume 108, Issue 2Page: 312-313KeywordsBiosynthesisBlood plasmaBrainFoodHypertensionInsomniaMetabolitesObesitySerotoninTryptophan Issue Published: 1 February 1988 PDF DownloadLoading ...