Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

The Newcastle University research output collection, currently available on ePrints, will shortly be moving to a new open repository platform, Figshare. To prepare for the data migration we have paused adding new content to ePrints, and will resume once the new repository is launched. During this time you will continue to have access to ePrints (but no new content will appear). We will share updates here when available.

Effect of low-dose acute tryptophan depletion on the specificity of autobiographical memory in healthy subjects with a family history of depression

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Hamid Alhaj, Matthew Selman, Victoria JERVIS, Emerita Professor Jacqueline Rodgers, Dr Stephen Barton, Professor Hamish McAllister-WilliamsORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

Rationale Low-dose acute tryptophan depletion (LD-ATD), while having no effect on mood, has been shown to reduce specificity of autobiographical memory in patients who have recovered from a depressive episode. Objectives This study aimed to explore if reduced specificity of autobiographical memory with LD-ATD is common to other groups of individuals at risk of depression, specifically a healthy population with a family history of depression. Methods Nineteen healthy young adults with at least one first-degree relative with a history of major depression were recruited. LD-ATD drinks containing 1.15 g of tryptophan (T+) or no tryptophan (T−) were administered on two separate occasions, in a double blind random order crossover design. The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) was administered 5 h after drink administration. Results Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in the effects of LD-ATD drinks on plasma free tryptophan with no mood change with either drink. There was no within-subject main effect of LD-ATD on the memory task. However, there was a main effect of order of drink. Exploratory analysis of visit 1 data indicated a large between-subject effect (d = 1.4) of LD-ATD on AMT with T− associated with less specificity in response to negative cue words (F(1, 17) = 8.71, p = 0.009). Conclusions Similar to findings following recovery from depression, LD-ATD can reduce specificity of AMT in the absence of lowered mood in healthy individuals with a strong family history of depression. These findings may reflect a 5-HT-dependent cognitive vulnerability to depression in different populations and warrant further research.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Alhaj HA, Selman M, Jervis V, Rodgers J, Barton S, McAllister-Williams RH

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Psychopharmacology

Year: 2012

Volume: 222

Issue: 2

Pages: 285-292

Print publication date: 27/01/2012

ISSN (print): 0033-3158

ISSN (electronic): 1432-2072

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2644-x

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2644-x

Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric

Share