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Clinical Trial
. 1998 Feb 1;43(3):230-2.
doi: 10.1016/S0006-3223(97)00010-3.

Tryptophan depletion in recently manic patients treated with lithium

F Cassidy  1 , E Murry, B J Carroll
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Tryptophan depletion in recently manic patients treated with lithium

F Cassidy et al. Biol Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Serotonin has been repeatedly implicated in the mechanism of action of lithium against acute mania. Its role, however, has never been directly confirmed.

Methods: We studied recently manic patients successfully treated with lithium using a tryptophan depletion methodology.

Results: Patients remained euthymic despite a confirmed decrease in serum tryptophan levels.

Conclusions: These data do not suggest that serotonin plays a critical role in the acute antimanic effect of lithium.

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