AUTHOR=Stewart Richard M. , Wong Janice W. Y. , Mahfouda Simone , Morandini Hugo A. E. , Rao Pradeep , Runions Kevin C. , Zepf Florian D. 

TITLE=Acute Tryptophan Depletion Moja-De: A Method to Study Central Nervous Serotonin Function in Children and Adolescents

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2019

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01007

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01007

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=Serotonin (5-HT) is widely implicated as a key neurotransmitter relevant to a range of psychiatric disorders and psychological processes. Serotonergic challenge methodologies provide unparalleled insight into the in vivo role of 5-HT on behavioural, physiological, and neuropsychological processes. Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) is a key challenge method where by diminished dietary intake of tryptophan – the amino acid precursor to brain 5-HT synthesis – results in temporary diminished central nervous 5-HT synthesis. This protocol outlines the Moja-De ATD  neuropharmacological challenge methodology and its benefits over previously used ATD techniques.  These modifications enable the use of ATD Moja-De in child and adolescent populations, providing a methodology for interrogating the role of 5-HT in human psychopathology from a developmental viewpoint.