Animal studies have implicated serotonin in the regulation of eating behavior. Hypothalamic serotonin receptor sites have been postulated to explain the inhibitory effect of serotonin on feeding behavior. This case study reports on the successful diminution of bingeing behavior in a normal weight bulimic female who was administered oral tryptophan, a serotonin precursor. The patient received a six week trial of tryptophan at a daily dosage of 20 mg/kg. A cessation of both the urge to binge and the behavior itself was noted. These preliminary findings are consistent with animal models suggesting the regulation of satiety is dependent on the inhibitory action of serotonin. Implications for the treatment of bulimic individuals are discussed.
BlundellJ.E., LeshemM.B.The effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan on food intake and on the anorexic action of amphetamine and fenfluramine.J Pharm Pharmacol1975; 27: 31–37.
3.
ClineschmidtB.V.5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine: suppression of anorexi genic effect of fenfluramine.Eur J Pharmacol1973; 24: 405–409.
4.
LeibowitzS.F., PapadakosP.J.Serotonin-norepinephrine interaction in the paraventricular nucleus: antagonistic effects on feeding behavior in the rat.Neurosci Abstr1978; 4: 542.
5.
KayW.H., EbertM.H., GuiltomanH.E., WeissS.R.Differences in brain serotoninergic metabolism between non-bulimic and bulimic patients with anorexia nervosa.Am J Psychiatry1984; 141: 1598–1601.
YoungS.N., GauthierS.Effect of tryptophan administration on tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and indoleacetic acid in human lumbar and cisternal cerebrospinal fluid.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry1981; 44: 323–327.
8.
PopeH.G.Jr., HudsonJ.I., JonasJ.M.Bulimia treated with imipramine: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.Am J Psychiatry1983; 140: 554–558.
9.
HudsonJ.I., PopeH.G.Jr, JonasJ.M.Family history study of anorexia nervosa and bulimia.Br J Psychiatry1983; 142: 133–138.
