Tryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory.
The amino-acid L-tryptophan is essential in the synthesis of brain serotonin, and its depletion can lead to a widespread reduction in central serotonergic activity. A placebo-controlled cross-over within-subjects design (n = 12) examined the effects of tryptophan depletion on human cognitive perform...
| Κύριοι συγγραφείς: | , , , , , , |
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| Μορφή: | Journal article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Έκδοση: |
1994
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| _version_ | 1826305721958924288 |
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| author | Park, S Coull, J McShane, R Young, A Sahakian, B Robbins, T Cowen, P |
| author_facet | Park, S Coull, J McShane, R Young, A Sahakian, B Robbins, T Cowen, P |
| author_sort | Park, S |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | The amino-acid L-tryptophan is essential in the synthesis of brain serotonin, and its depletion can lead to a widespread reduction in central serotonergic activity. A placebo-controlled cross-over within-subjects design (n = 12) examined the effects of tryptophan depletion on human cognitive performance. A low-tryptophan (low-TRP) drink successfully reduced the levels of plasma and total free tryptophan. Computerized tests of memory, learning and executive function revealed selective and non-sedative impairments on cognitive performance following the active drink. Specifically, low-TRP impaired learning as seen in tests of visual discrimination and paired associates. Furthermore, low-TRP lengthened thinking times during the Tower of London planning task, but only in subjects already familiar with the task, suggesting a retrieval deficit. No evidence was found for an effect of the low-TRP drink on measures sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction, supporting instead a specific role for the serotonergic system in the processes of memory and learning not directly implicated in frontal lobe function. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T06:37:09Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:f80a2f5f-8b8c-4fc3-a631-f13a6da1a6e5 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T06:37:09Z |
| publishDate | 1994 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:f80a2f5f-8b8c-4fc3-a631-f13a6da1a6e52022-03-27T12:47:22ZTryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:f80a2f5f-8b8c-4fc3-a631-f13a6da1a6e5EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford1994Park, SCoull, JMcShane, RYoung, ASahakian, BRobbins, TCowen, PThe amino-acid L-tryptophan is essential in the synthesis of brain serotonin, and its depletion can lead to a widespread reduction in central serotonergic activity. A placebo-controlled cross-over within-subjects design (n = 12) examined the effects of tryptophan depletion on human cognitive performance. A low-tryptophan (low-TRP) drink successfully reduced the levels of plasma and total free tryptophan. Computerized tests of memory, learning and executive function revealed selective and non-sedative impairments on cognitive performance following the active drink. Specifically, low-TRP impaired learning as seen in tests of visual discrimination and paired associates. Furthermore, low-TRP lengthened thinking times during the Tower of London planning task, but only in subjects already familiar with the task, suggesting a retrieval deficit. No evidence was found for an effect of the low-TRP drink on measures sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction, supporting instead a specific role for the serotonergic system in the processes of memory and learning not directly implicated in frontal lobe function. |
| spellingShingle | Park, S Coull, J McShane, R Young, A Sahakian, B Robbins, T Cowen, P Tryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory. |
| title | Tryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory. |
| title_full | Tryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory. |
| title_fullStr | Tryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory. |
| title_short | Tryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory. |
| title_sort | tryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memory |
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