PSY396H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase, Tryptophan Hydroxylase, 5-Ht Receptor
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Paroxetine and moclobemide act to boost levels of nt serotonin (paroxetine works by blocking reuptake of serotonin, moclobemide slows rate of serotonin metabolism by inhibiting mao a) Serotonin syndrome: effects associated with an overdose of ssris or serotonergic agonists, including severe agitation, disorientation, confusion, ataxia, muscle spasms, fever, shivering, chills, diarrhea, elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate. Tph2 expressed in by serotonergic neurons. John fernstrom and richard wurtman (1972) found that tryptophan from diet is not the same as injected tryptophan directly. Used to help determine role of 5-ht in behavioural functions. Side effects make it impossible to test on humans. In humans administration of an amino acid cocktail" containing a large quantity of aas except tryptophan leads to temporary depletion of brain 5-ht. The surge of amino acids in the bloodstream stimulates protein synthesis by the liver, reduces level of plasma tryptophan to below its starting point.