5-Hydroxytryptophan in Parkinsonism

Letter to editor

“…Furthermore, in a group of 13 German patients a marked antidepressant effect was reported after treatment with L-5-hydroxytryptophan (Sano and Taniguchi, 1972). On the other hand, in accordance with the case reported by Chouinard and Sultan (1992), Chase et al (1970Chase et al ( , 1972 reported a deterioration of parkinsonian symptoms after the addition of 5-hydroxytryptophan.…”

The effect of oral 5-HTP administration on 5-HTP and 5-HT immunoreactivity in monoaminergic brain regions of rats

“…This idea is supported by results from case studies in which Parkinson's patients were treated with 5-HTP alone or in combination with peripheral decarboxylase inhibitors. There was a worsening in patient akinesia and rigidity with 5-HTP treatment that returned to the former state once 5-HTP treatment was stopped (Klein et al, 1986;Chase, 1970).…”

CSF studies on the relationship between dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in Parkinsonism and other movement disorders.

“…Patients with very low CSF 5-HIAA concentrations, who did not respond well to L-dopa, might represent a group in whom loss of 5-HT function is more important than loss of dopaminergic function. These particular patients might respond to treatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan despite evidence that this drug worsens Parkinsonism (Chase, 1970).…”