BEHAVIORAL-EFFECTS OF DIETARY NEUROTRANSMITTER PRECURSORS - BASIC ANDCLINICAL ASPECTS

The levels and possibly function of several neurotransmitters can be i nfluenced by the supply of their dietary precursors. The neurotransmit ters include serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, histamine, acetylchol ine and glycine, which are formed from tryptophan, tyrosine, histidine , choline and threonine. Tryptophan has been tested more than the othe r precursors in clinical trials and is currently available in some cou ntries for the treatment of depression. Other uses for tryptophan and the therapeutic potential of other neurotransmitter precursors have no t been tested adequately. Given the relative lack of toxicity of dieta ry components, further clinical trials with neurotransmitter precursor s should be carried out. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.