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Therapy of depression by phenylalanine. Preliminary note
Arzneimittel-Forschung
|January 1, 1975
Summary
DL- or D-phenylalanine effectively treated endogenous depression in 17 of 23 patients unresponsive to other antidepressants. This phenylalanine treatment showed no significant adverse effects over 15 days.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Endogenous depression often requires alternative treatments when standard antidepressants fail.
- Phenylalanine, a precursor to neurotransmitters, has been explored for mood regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of phenylalanine in patients with treatment-resistant endogenous depression.
Main Methods:
- Administered daily oral doses of dl- or d-phenylalanine (50 or 100 mg) for 15 days.
- Included 23 subjects with endogenous depression who had not responded to imipramine-like or MAO inhibitor drugs.
Main Results:
- Achieved complete euthymia (normal mood state) in 17 out of 23 subjects.
- Treatment response occurred within 1 to 13 days.
- No significant adverse reactions were reported during the study.
Conclusions:
- DL- or D-phenylalanine demonstrates significant efficacy in treating endogenous depression resistant to conventional therapies.
- Phenylalanine offers a potentially safe and effective alternative treatment option for specific patient populations.