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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices
Published on: August 11, 2021
Psychobiological aspects of somatoform disorders: contributions of monoaminergic transmitter systems
Winfried Rief1, Florian Pilger, Daniel Ihle
1Center for Behavioral Medicine, Klinik Roseneck, Prien am Chiemsee, Germany. rief@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Objective:
To evaluate the possible biological aspects of 'unexplained physical symptoms', this study examined serotonergic and noradrenergic monoamino acids in somatoform disorders and/or depression.
Methods:
Blood samples of 150 subjects from 4 groups (somatization syndrome; depression; depression and somatization; controls) were analyzed for amino acids contributing to the serotonergic and noradrenergic system and peripheral muscle energy balance (tryptophan, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and tyrosine).
Results:
Tryptophan, branched chain amino acids and other serotonergic amino acids were decreased in patients with somatoform symptoms, even when no depression was present.
Conclusions:
We conclude that serotonergic amino acids are biological correlates of multiple unexplained symptoms. Ways of action do not only involve brain mechanisms, but also energy metabolism in peripheral muscles.
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