Abstract
The neurotransmitter precursors tryptophan and tyrosine are present in a variety of foods. In order to document possible effects of tryptophan and tyrosine on human behavior, single oral doses of these substances and matched placebos were administered to 20 men in a double-blind, crossover study. Various tests of mood state and performance were then administered. Tryptophan increased subjective fatigue and decreased self-ratings of vigor and alertness, but did not impair performance on any of the tests. Tyrosine produced no effects in our young population compared with placebo, but did decrease reaction time relative to tryptophan. It may be concluded that tryptophan has significant sedative-like properties, but unlike other sedatives may not impair performance.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 366-370 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | American Journal of Clinical Nutrition |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - Aug 1 1985 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Nutrition and Dietetics
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The effects of dietary neurotransmitter precursors on human behavior. / Lieberman, H. R.; Corkin, S.; Spring, B. J.; Wurtman, R. J.; Growdon, J. H.
In: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 42, No. 2, 01.08.1985, p. 366-370.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of dietary neurotransmitter precursors on human behavior.
AU - Lieberman, H. R.
AU - Corkin, S.
AU - Spring, B. J.
AU - Wurtman, R. J.
AU - Growdon, J. H.
PY - 1985/8/1
Y1 - 1985/8/1
N2 - The neurotransmitter precursors tryptophan and tyrosine are present in a variety of foods. In order to document possible effects of tryptophan and tyrosine on human behavior, single oral doses of these substances and matched placebos were administered to 20 men in a double-blind, crossover study. Various tests of mood state and performance were then administered. Tryptophan increased subjective fatigue and decreased self-ratings of vigor and alertness, but did not impair performance on any of the tests. Tyrosine produced no effects in our young population compared with placebo, but did decrease reaction time relative to tryptophan. It may be concluded that tryptophan has significant sedative-like properties, but unlike other sedatives may not impair performance.
AB - The neurotransmitter precursors tryptophan and tyrosine are present in a variety of foods. In order to document possible effects of tryptophan and tyrosine on human behavior, single oral doses of these substances and matched placebos were administered to 20 men in a double-blind, crossover study. Various tests of mood state and performance were then administered. Tryptophan increased subjective fatigue and decreased self-ratings of vigor and alertness, but did not impair performance on any of the tests. Tyrosine produced no effects in our young population compared with placebo, but did decrease reaction time relative to tryptophan. It may be concluded that tryptophan has significant sedative-like properties, but unlike other sedatives may not impair performance.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0022103999&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0022103999&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 42
SP - 366
EP - 370
JO - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
JF - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
SN - 0002-9165
IS - 2
ER -