L-Tryptophan: Basic Metabolic Functions, Behavioral Research and Therapeutic Indications.

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Richard DM, Dawes MA, Mathias CW, Acheson A, Hill-Kapturczak N, Dougherty DM

L-Tryptophan: Basic Metabolic Functions, Behavioral Research and Therapeutic Indications.

Int J Tryptophan Res. 2009 Mar 23;2:45-60.

PubMed ID

20651948 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

An essential component of the human diet, L-tryptophan is critical in a number of metabolic functions and has been widely used in numerous research and clinical trials. This review provides a brief overview of the role of L-tryptophan in protein synthesis and a number of other metabolic functions. With emphasis on L-tryptophan's role in synthesis of brain serotonin, details are provided on the research uses of L-tryptophan, particularly L-tryptophan depletion, and on clinical trials that have been conducted using L-tryptophan supplementation. The ability to change the rates of serotonin synthesis in the brain by manipulating concentrations of serum tryptophan is the foundation of much research. As the sole precursor of serotonin, experimental research has shown that L-tryptophan's role in brain serotonin synthesis is an important factor involved in mood, behavior, and cognition. Furthermore, clinical trials have provided some initial evidence of L-tryptophan's efficacy for treatment of psychiatric disorders, particularly when used in combination with other therapeutic agents.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Pharmaco-metabolomics

Drug	Drug Groups	Metabolite	Change	Description
Tryptophan	Approved Nutraceutical Withdrawn	serotonin	increased	Tryptophan increases the level of serotonin in the blood