Effects of tryptophan depletion vs catecholamine depletion in patients with seasonal affective disorder in remission with light therapy

Archives of General Psychiatry
A NeumeisterN E Rosenthal

Abstract

Although hypotheses about the therapeutic mechanism of action of light therapy have focused on serotonergic mechanisms, the potential role, if any, of catecholaminergic pathways has not been fully explored. Sixteen patients with seasonal affective disorder who had responded to a standard regimen of daily 10000-lux light therapy were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study. We compared the effects of tryptophan depletion with catecholamine depletion and sham depletion. Ingestion of a tryptophan-free amino acid beverage plus amino acid capsules was used to deplete tryptophan. Administration of the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor alpha-methyl-paratyrosine was used to deplete catecholamines. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride was used as an active placebo during sham depletion. The effects of these interventions were evaluated with measures of depression, plasma tryptophan levels, and plasma catecholamine metabolites. Tryptophan depletion significantly decreased plasma total and free tryptophan levels. Catecholamine depletion significantly decreased plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol and homovanillic acid levels. Both tryptophan depletion and catecholamine depletion, compared with sham deple...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 5, 1998·Lancet·T Partonen, J Lönnqvist
Feb 28, 2001·European Neuropsychopharmacology : the Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·E HilgerS Kasper
Nov 13, 2004·Current Psychiatry Reports·Chang-Ho Sohn, Raymond W Lam
Jul 17, 2012·Journal of Neural Transmission·G S LallD R Bonsall
Jul 19, 2012·Journal of Neural Transmission·Krzysztof KrystaIrena Krupka-Matuszczyk
Jul 13, 2006·Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics·Dietmar WinklerSiegfried Kasper
Jan 9, 2014·Chronobiology International·Mark A Oldham, Domenic A Ciraulo
Aug 31, 2010·Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology·Mats B Humble
Feb 24, 2009·Journal of Psychiatric Research·Edda PjrekDietmar Winkler
Aug 11, 2007·Sleep Medicine Reviews·Francesco BenedettiEnrico Smeraldi
Mar 20, 2016·European Neuropsychopharmacology : the Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Ping-Tao TsengPao-Yen Lin
Nov 6, 2004·Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. Supplementum·K Martiny
Oct 21, 2015·L'Encéphale·P A GeoffroyA Amad
Jul 19, 2005·Pharmacology & Therapeutics·Erick H TurnerAaron D Blackwell
May 17, 2005·Clinics in Sports Medicine·Teodor T Postolache, Dan A Oren
Aug 12, 2015·Psychiatry Research·Bettina StemerEberhard A Deisenhammer
Apr 1, 2014·Psychiatry Research·Shannon D DonofryMarissa L Kamarck
Aug 31, 2010·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Joanna L Workman, Randy J Nelson
Aug 4, 2011·Neuropsychobiology·Gerald PailSiegfried Kasper
May 23, 2007·Clinical EEG and Neuroscience·Christine Norra
Apr 29, 2004·Clinical EEG and Neuroscience·Phillip C Jobe
Jan 6, 2004·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·John P O'ReardonKelly C Allison
Jun 24, 2004·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Gregor HaslerDennis S Charney
Feb 1, 2019·The European Journal of Neuroscience·Anna Wirz-Justice, Francesco Benedetti
Dec 4, 2003·Molecular Psychiatry·L BooijW J Riedel
Dec 8, 2005·CNS Drugs·John P O'ReardonKelly C Allison
Nov 7, 2017·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Stefanie Verena MuellerGregor Hasler
Oct 8, 1999·Psychosomatic Medicine·A Fugh-Berman, J M Cott
Jan 3, 2012·The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease·Gloria M ReevesTeodor T Postolache
Oct 20, 2015·Current Psychiatry Reports·Sara DallaspeziaFrancesco Benedetti
Jul 26, 2005·CNS Spectrums·Edda PjrekSiegfried Kasper
May 2, 2003·Chronobiology International·Andres Magnusson, Diane Boivin
Jul 26, 2005·CNS Spectrums·Chang-Ho Sohn, Raymond W Lam

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.