Abstract
Rationale: The intensity dependence of the auditory evoked potentials (AEP) has been suggested to be a specific biological marker of central serotonergic activity. Objective: While previous studies used circumstantial evidence to support this hypothesis, we manipulated (decreased) cerebral levels of serotonin directly by using tryptophan depletion. Methods: Twelve healthy young subjects were investigated using placebo and two different amino acid mixtures in a double blind cross over design on three different occasions. AEPs recorded during tryptophan depletion were analyzed by dipole analysis and regional sources using methods published in the literature. Results: For none of the mixtures a significant effect of tryptophan depletion was found. There was a trend towards reduced intensity dependency after tryptophan depletion, especially in the right hemisphere. This reduction correlated with the amount of reduced tryptophan in plasma. Conclusions: The results indicate, in contrast to earlier indirect studies, that the intensity dependence of AEPs is not a specific marker of central serotonergic activity.
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Received: 8 March 1999 / Final version: 25 May 1999
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Dierks, T., Barta, S., Demisch, L. et al. Intensity dependence of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) as biological marker for cerebral serotonin levels: effects of tryptophan depletion in healthy subjects. Psychopharmacology 146, 101–107 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130051094
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130051094