The authors review theoretical and clinical data supporting the
hypothesis that L-tryptophan may potentiate the effects of lithium
carbonate and report on a double-blind clinical comparison of lithium plus
L-tryptophan and lithium plus placebo in 9 bipolar and 7 schizoaffective
patients. Overall the combination of lithium and L- tryptophan resulted in
significantly greater improvement. However, the results may have been
confounded by the greater, although nonsignificant, doses of neuroleptics
administered to the group receiving L-tryptophan. The authors discuss the
interactions of lithium and L-trypotophan with the serotonin system.
Abstract Teaser