Plasma concentrations of tryptophan and other amino acids in manic-depressive patients

Abstract

SYSNOPSIS Plasma tryptophan concentrations were determined in serial blood samples from a short cycle (two to three day) manic-depressive patient and four manic-depressive patients with longer (60 day) affective cycles. Tryptophan levels varied significantly with affective state in the short cycle patient and one of the longer cycle patients. Correlation in the short cycle patient was better with blood samples taken at 3 p.m. than at 9 a.m.