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Serotonin, dieting, and bulimia nervosa
1University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK. phil.cowen@psych.ox.ac.uk
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|March 18, 2000
Summary
Moderate dieting can lower L-tryptophan (TRP) levels, impacting brain serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission. This TRP depletion may trigger bulimia nervosa symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Dieting is a prevalent behavior associated with eating disorders.
- Serotonin (5-HT) plays a crucial role in mood and appetite regulation.
- L-tryptophan (TRP) is the essential precursor for serotonin synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of dieting on L-tryptophan (TRP) availability and brain serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission.
- To examine whether TRP depletion can re-induce symptoms in individuals with a history of bulimia nervosa.
Main Methods:
- Healthy women underwent moderate dieting for 3 weeks.
- Neuroendocrine tests were used to assess 5-HT neurotransmission.
- Recovered female subjects with bulimia nervosa history were given a TRP-depleting amino acid mixture.
Main Results:
- Moderate dieting in healthy women reduced plasma TRP concentrations and impaired brain 5-HT neurotransmission.
- TRP depletion in recovered bulimia nervosa patients temporarily reinstated depressive symptoms, weight/shape concerns, and fear of losing eating control.
Conclusions:
- Dieting-induced reductions in TRP availability may precipitate bulimia nervosa in vulnerable individuals.
- Maintaining adequate TRP levels might be important for preventing eating disorder relapse.