Potentiation of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor by tryptophan

Journal of Psychiatric ResearchPublished 1 December 1969

Alexander H. Glassman, Stanley R. Platman

DOI10.1016/0022-3956(69)90013-2

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Citations169

SJR quartileQ1

SJR score1.49

SNIP1.15

TL;DR

This double blind study investigated the reported potentiation of an MAO inhibitor by tryptophan, finding that patients placed on phenelzine sulfate showed significantly more improvement as measured by a modified version of the Hamilton scale.

Abstract

This double blind study investigated the reported potentiation of an MAO inhibitor by tryptophan. Twenty seriously depressed patients were placed on phenelzine sulfate. Half of these patients received supplements of tryptophan while the remainder received a placebo. Those receiving the tryptophan supplements showed significantly more improvement as measured by a modified version of the Hamilton scale. The possible pathways for the mediation of this tryptophan effect are discussed.

Keywords

MedicineNeuroscience

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