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Related Experiment Videos

Tyrosine for depression: a double-blind trial.

A J Gelenberg1, J D Wojcik, W E Falk

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|June 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

L-tyrosine did not show antidepressant effects in major depression patients, despite altering MHPG excretion. Imipramine was associated with dry mouth, but neither treatment nor MHPG levels predicted clinical improvement.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition.
  • Current treatments for MDD have limitations, necessitating research into novel therapeutic agents.
  • Alterations in catecholamine metabolism, including MHPG, are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of L-tyrosine as an antidepressant in patients with major depression.
  • To compare the effects of L-tyrosine and imipramine on MHPG excretion and clinical outcomes.
  • To investigate the relationship between MHPG levels, plasma amino acids, and treatment response.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.

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  • 65 outpatients diagnosed with RDC major depression were treated for 4 weeks.
  • Interventions included oral L-tyrosine (100 mg/kg/day), imipramine (2.5 mg/kg/day), or placebo.

    • Main Results:

    • L-tyrosine significantly increased MHPG excretion, while imipramine significantly decreased it.
    • No statistically significant antidepressant activity was observed for L-tyrosine.
    • Dry mouth was the only side effect that was significantly more frequent with imipramine compared to placebo.

    Conclusions:

    • L-tyrosine does not appear to possess antidepressant activity in major depression, despite influencing MHPG excretion.
    • Imipramine's effect on MHPG is confirmed, with dry mouth as a notable side effect.
    • MHPG excretion and plasma amino acid levels do not reliably predict or correlate with clinical improvement in major depression.