Kp. Weld et al., EFFECT OF TRYPTOPHAN TREATMENT ON SELF-BITING AND CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM SEROTONIN METABOLISM IN RHESUS-MONKEYS (MACACA-MULATTA), Neuropsychopharmacology, 19(4), 1998, pp. 314-321
Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of oral L-tryptophan
(TRP) supplementation as a treatment for self-injurious behavior (SIB
) and to investigate behavior and central serotonin turnover of male r
hesus monkeys. In Study One, TRP teas administered to seven individual
ly housed rhesus monkeys with a recent history of spontaneous SIE. Whi
le the monkeys were on TRP treatment (100 mg/kg twice a day), cisterna
l cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic ac
id increased markedly (p = .0013) above baseline (baseline mean 207.6
pmol/ml +/- 39; TRP mean = 320.3 pmol/ml +/- 83.4), and the duration o
f self-biting behavior decreased below baseline (p = .03). In Study Tw
o, 14 individually housed rhesus monkeys without a history of SIB were
placed on three different doses of TRP in random order (50, 100, and
200 mg/kg twice a day). TRP had no effect on any behavioral or biochem
ical variables in the normal monkeys. Conclusions: Supplemental trypto
phan in well-tolerated noses reduced self-biting and increases seroton
in turnover rate in male monkeys with a recent history of SIB, The sam
e doses of TRP do not effect behavior or serotonin metabolism in male
monkeys without a history of SIB. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.