Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Decrease in circulating tryptophan availability to the brain after acute ethanol consumption by normal volunteers:

A A Badawy1, C J Morgan, J W Lovett

  • 1Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Whitchurch Hospital, Wales, UK.

Pharmacopsychiatry
|October 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Impact of an enhanced recovery program for cesarean delivery on postoperative opioid use.

International journal of obstetric anesthesia·2020
Same author

<i>IL-6</i> -572G/C and -174G/C polymorphisms association with hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

British journal of biomedical science·2019
Same author

Association of 32-bp deletion polymorphism and promoter methylation of <i>PTEN</i> and hepatitis C virus induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

British journal of biomedical science·2019
Same author

The effect of acutely administered MDMA on subjective and BOLD-fMRI responses to favourite and worst autobiographical memories.

The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology·2013
Same author

Relationship between NRAMP1 gene polymorphism and efficacy of BCG vaccine in a helminth-infected population.

Genetics and molecular research : GMR·2013
Same author

Modeling lesion counts in multiple sclerosis when patients have been selected for baseline activity.

Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)·2010
Same journal

A Tribute to Prof. Jules Angst highlighting his Contributions to Clozapine.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

Correction: Escitalopram and Clonazepam Affect Gasotransmitter-related Enzyme (nNOS, HO-2, CBS) Gene Expression in the Rat Brain.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

Correction: Non-Response to Antidepressants: Risk Factors and Therapeutic Possibilities.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

Consensus Guidelines for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Neuropsychopharmacology: Update 2026 - Pharmacokinetic, pharmacogenetic and clinical aspects.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Reference Ranges for Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Medical Cannabis, Nabiximols, Dronabinol and Nabilone.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

A Naturalistic Study on the Cost Reduction and Efficacy of Long-acting Antipsychotics in an Early Intervention Programme for Patients with Recent-onset Psychosis.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
See all related articles

Acute alcohol consumption lowers tryptophan levels in the brain, potentially increasing aggression and impacting mood. This study explores the link between alcohol, tryptophan, and serotonin synthesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Alcohol consumption affects neurotransmitter precursor availability.
  • Tryptophan (Trp) is a precursor to serotonin, influencing mood and behavior.
  • Ethanol's specific impact on Trp metabolism is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of acute ethanol consumption on circulating tryptophan levels and brain availability in fasting males.
  • To determine if alcohol consumption alters tryptophan binding to albumin.
  • To explore the potential link between alcohol-induced tryptophan changes, serotonin synthesis, and aggressive behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Fasting male volunteers consumed ethanol.
  • Blood samples were analyzed for tryptophan (Trp) and competing large neutral amino acids (CAA).

Related Experiment Videos

  • The Trp/CAA ratio was calculated to assess brain Trp availability.

    • Main Results:

    • Acute ethanol consumption significantly decreased circulating Trp concentration and the Trp/CAA ratio.
    • The reduction in Trp was specific to Trp, with no increase in competing amino acids.
    • Decreased Trp levels were not linked to altered albumin binding, suggesting enhanced hepatic Trp pyrrolase activity.

    Conclusions:

    • Alcohol consumption impairs tryptophan availability to the brain.
    • Reduced brain tryptophan may lead to decreased serotonin synthesis, potentially inducing aggression in susceptible individuals.
    • Findings suggest a role for alcohol-induced tryptophan depletion in mood disorders like depression.