The tryptophan depletion test: impact on sleep in primary insomnia - a pilot study

Psychiatry Research
D RiemannU Voderholzer

Abstract

The application of the tryptophan depletion test is based on the assumption that the decrease of plasma or serum tryptophan concentration following the ingestion of a tryptophan-free amino acid drink reflects a central nervous effect on serotonin metabolism. In the present study the impact of tryptophan depletion on polysomnographically recorded sleep in patients with primary insomnia was studied. Fifteen patients with primary insomnia slept for four nights in the sleep laboratory. Prior to the fourth night the tryptophan depletion test was applied. Sleep EEG variables served as outcome parameters. Patients with primary insomnia, compared to baseline values showed a highly significant decrease of serum tryptophan concentrations after the amino acid drink. Concerning sleep parameters, stage 1 (% sleep period time=SPT) was increased, whereas stage 2 (% SPT) was decreased. Indices of phasic activity of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (REM density) were increased after the tryptophan depletion compared to baseline. The results suggest a negative impact of tryptophan depletion on sleep continuity and a stimulating effect on phasic measures of REM sleep in patients with primary insomnia.

References

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Citations

Jul 9, 2009·Psychopharmacology·Robin L Carhart-HarrisSue J Wilson
Dec 7, 2006·European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience·Ulrich VoderholzerFritz Hohagen
Apr 12, 2008·Sleep Medicine·Dieter Riemann
Mar 4, 2008·Sleep Medicine Reviews·Thomas SchierenbeckMagdolna Hornyak
Jan 25, 2014·Gynecological Endocrinology : the Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·Mónica Flores-RamosFrancisco Pellicer Graham
Aug 13, 2015·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Michael YurcheshenWilfred Pigeon
Mar 11, 2004·Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health·Barbara Hackley, Mary Ellen Rousseau
May 23, 2007·Clinical EEG and Neuroscience·Christine Norra
Sep 14, 2017·American Journal of Therapeutics·Jack N LossoFrank L Greenway

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