ACUTE TRYPTOPHAN DEPLETION AGGRAVATES PREMENSTRUAL-SYNDROME

The dietary technique of acute tryptophan depletion was used to suppre ss brain serotonin synthesis in 16 women with documented premenstrual syndrome. Each subject was tested at distinct phases of each of two me nstrual cycles. Baseline amino acid levels did not vary across the men strual cycle, except for tyrosine which showed a significant premenstr ual decrement. Compared to a sham procedure, actual tryptophan depleti on caused a significant aggravation of premenstrual symptoms, particul arly irritability. Symptom magnitude was correlated with diminution of tryptophan relative to other amino acids. This result supports other evidence implicating serotonin in premenstrual syndrome.