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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

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Tryptophan Metabolism in Neurodevelopment and Its Implications For Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Maria Grazia Giuliano1, Paola Tognini2

  • 1Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy. maria.giuliano@santannapisa.it.

Molecular Neurobiology
|November 19, 2025
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Summary

Tryptophan metabolism is crucial for brain health, and its disruption is linked to neuropsychiatric conditions. This review focuses on tryptophan

Keywords:
Gut microbiotaIndoleKynurenineNeurodevelopmentNeurodevelopmental disordersTryptophan

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Tryptophan metabolism is vital for physiological and pathological processes.
  • Disrupted tryptophan homeostasis is linked to neuropsychiatric conditions across the lifespan.
  • Neurodevelopmental aspects of tryptophan metabolism are underexplored compared to neurodegenerative disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of tryptophan metabolism in neurodevelopment.
  • To highlight the roles of the kynurenine pathway and gut microbiota-derived indoles.
  • To examine the impact of tryptophan dysregulation on neurodevelopmental disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Focus on kynurenine pathway and gut microbiota-indole production.
  • Analysis of pathophysiological consequences in specific disorders.

Main Results:

  • Tryptophan metabolism significantly impacts brain maturation, plasticity, and immune regulation.
  • Alterations in tryptophan metabolism are implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • The kynurenine pathway and gut microbiota are key interconnected branches.

Conclusions:

  • Tryptophan homeostasis is essential for normal neurodevelopment.
  • Dysregulation contributes to conditions like autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and Rett syndrome.
  • Targeting tryptophan metabolism offers potential therapeutic strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders.