A group of depressed persons (with a family history of depression)on medication who are currently feeling well are recruited for an experiment.When these persons are fed a diet low in tryptophan on one day and a cocktail high in amino acids (other than tryptophan)on the following day,they

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Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation. A diet low in tryptophan may lead to a decrease in serotonin production and potentially trigger a depressive episode in persons with a family history of depression who are currently stable on medication. The cocktail high in amino acids (other than tryptophan) may not provide enough tryptophan to meet the body's needs for serotonin production and thus may also lead to a relapse into depression.

A Group of Depressed Persons (With a Family History of Depression)on