Biochemical aspects of tryptophan depletion in primates

We studied the degree of plasma tryptophan depletion produced by giving normal human males different amounts of a tryptophan-free (T-) amino acid mixture. From the results of this and other studies we concluded that the maximum degree of tryptophan depletion can be produced by a 31.5 g mixture of seven essential amino acids. Administration of a T–amino acid mixture to vervet monkeys lowered tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid. Levels of tyrosine and the catecholamine metabolites were unchanged. These data support the idea that the effects of T–mixture on mental function in humans which have been reported previously are due to a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine.