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The biology of depression is the attempt to identify a biochemical origin of depression, as opposed to theories that emphasize psychological or situational causes. Scientific studies have found that different brain areas show altered activity in humans with major depressive disorder (MDD). [1]
Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) is a technique used extensively to study the effect of low serotonin in the brain. [1] This experimental approach reduces the availability of tryptophan , an amino acid which serves as the precursor to serotonin.
Low brain serotonin level is induced by administration of tryptophan-poor protein in a technique called acute tryptophan depletion. [68] Studies using this method have evaluated the effect of serotonin on mood and social behavior, finding that serotonin reduces aggression and increases agreeableness.
TPH1 was first discovered to support serotonin synthesis in 1988 by converting tryptophan into 5-hydroxytryptophan. [6] It was thought that there only was a single TPH gene until 2003. A second form was found in the mouse ( Tph2 ), rat and human brain ( TPH2 ) and the original TPH was then renamed to TPH1.
Disorders affecting the kynurenine pathway may be primary (of genetic origin) or secondary (due to inflammatory conditions). [9] Peripheral inflammation can lead to a build up of kynurenine in the brain, and this is associated with major depressive disorder, [5] [6] bipolar disorder, [1] [5] [2] [8] and schizophrenia.
“Tryptophan can become serotonin — the brain chemical that calms, causes sleep, among other things — if the right enzymes are around to do so,” she notes.
Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is an enzyme (EC 1.14.16.4) involved in the synthesis of the monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin. Tyrosine hydroxylase , phenylalanine hydroxylase , and tryptophan hydroxylase together constitute the family of biopterin-dependent aromatic amino acid hydroxylases .
Kynurenic acid (KYNA or KYN) is a product of the normal metabolism of amino acid L-tryptophan. It has been shown that kynurenic acid possesses neuroactive activity. It acts as an antiexcitotoxic and anticonvulsant, most likely through acting as an antagonist at excitatory amino acid receptors. Because of this activity, it may influence ...