Abstract
Background: This study investigated the relationship between depressive symptom response
during tryptophan depletion and future depressive episodes.
Methods: Twelve subjects with prior major depressive episodes in remission and medication-free
for ≥3 months (patients), and 12 matched healthy (control) subjects received two tryptophan
depletion tests 1 week apart. During follow-up the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
was administered weekly for 1 month, monthly for 3 months, and once at 6 and 12 months.
Results: With results from both tests, tryptophan depletion has a sensitivity of 78%,
specificity of 80%, positive predictive value of 70%, and negative predictive value
of 86% to identify future depressive episodes. Survival analysis shows that mood response
to tryptophan depletion reliably predicts major depressive episodes during the follow-up
year (r = .2725, p = .014).
Conclusions: Tryptophan depletion may be clinically useful in identifying individuals
at risk for future major depressive episodes.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 24,
2000
Received in revised form:
March 16,
2000
Received:
November 17,
1999
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
