MONOAMINE PRECURSORS AND THE DIET: BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS

我们在过去几年中注意到， 色氨酸（trp）和酪氨酸（tyr）对大脑的影响率 这些氨基酸被转化为5羟色胺（5 HT）， 儿茶酚胺（CAM）。 饮食（即使摄入单一 膳食）已被证明可以改变TRP和TYR摄入大脑，因此， 通过改变脑内5-HT和CAM的形成率，食物摄入， 神经递质的合成和水平，也可能改变的数量， 神经元去兴奋时释放的递质。 如果是这样，那么饮食可能 改变可测量的大脑输出，例如特定的行为， 神经内分泌物 然而，很少有研究充分探讨了 饮食、大脑神经递质和行为之间的潜在关系- 神经内分泌功能 这是拟议的研究计划的目的， 以确定饮食引起的大脑神经递质的变化 形成导致特定行为和激素的明显变化 分泌物。 具体而言，将研究以下产出：（1） 疼痛敏感性：大鼠的疼痛敏感性与 与脑内5-HT神经元的活动关系最为明显。 使用 在大鼠的退缩-跳跃试验中，我们将研究饮食，氨基酸， 和药物对行为输出的影响。 (2)睡眠：5 HT神经元也被 与睡眠控制密切相关。 我们将在人类身上进行研究， 给予色氨酸、酪氨酸或其他氨基化合物的效果 酸，和摄入特定的饮食，对各种睡眠 参数（使用睡眠EEG和受试者睡眠评级）和血浆 氨基酸模式 (3)摄食调节：5-HT和CAM神经元 已知大脑参与控制营养摄入。 我们将 使用自选大鼠（允许动物选择 他每天摄入的特定营养素，可以让他获得2种或更多种 食物，不同的内容感兴趣的营养素），以研究 注射TRP、TYR或其他氨基酸或药物的能力，或 摄入特定膳食以改变蛋白质的量，或 碳水化合物的动物选择消耗后，实验 治疗 (4)垂体激素部分：生长的分泌物 激素（GH）和催乳素（PL）已被证明受药物影响 改变大脑中5 HT和CAM受体的数量，我们将因此 研究TRP、TYR对GH、PL分泌的影响 或其他氨基酸或药物，并在摄入特定的 饮食应该改变大脑5 HT或CAM的合成。 最后，虽然大多数 研究将集中在5 HT和CAM，我们还打算探索 饮食诱导的乙酰胆碱（ACH）形成变化的可能性， 大脑影响研究中的大脑输出。 的结果 研究方向，除了阐明潜在的重要大脑 机制，也可以帮助管理某些疾病状态 涉及脑神经元改变的5 HT、CAM或ACH水平和释放。 通过提供简单的饮食治疗来帮助纠正 神经递质失衡

We have observed over the past several years that the availability of tryptophan (trp) and tyrosine (tyr) to the brain influences the rates of which these amino acids are converted to serotonin (5HT) and the catecholamines (CAM), respectively. Diet (even the ingestion of single meals) has been shown to modify TRP and TYR uptake into brain, and thus the rates of formation of 5HT and CAM, food ingestion, by altering brain neurotransmitter synthesis and levels, may also modify the amounts of transmitters released when neurons depolarize. If so, then the diet might modify measurable brain outputs, such as particular behaviors and neuroendocrine secretions. However, few studies have fully explored the potential relationships among diet, brain neurotransmitters, and behavior- neuroendocrine function. It is the intent of the proposed research program to determine whether diet-induced modifications in brain neurotransmitter formation lead to overt changes in specific behaviors and hormonal secretions. In particular, the following outputs will be studies: (1) Pain sensitivity: pain sensitivity has been shown in rats to be correlated most clearly with the activity of 5HT neurons in brain. Using the flinch-jump test in rats, we will study the effects of diets, amino acids, and drugs on the behavioral output. (2) sleep: 5HT neurons have also been closely associated with the control of sleep. We will study, in humans, the effects of the administration of tryptophan, tyrosine, or other amino acids, and of the ingestion of particular diets, on a variety of sleep parameters (using sleep EEGs and subject sleep ratings) and on the plasma amino acid pattern. (3) Food intake regulation: 5HT and CAM neurons in brain are known to be involved in the control of nutrient intake. We will use the self-selecting rat (animal is allowed to choose the amount of a particular nutrient he consumes each day, be giving him access to 2 or more foods, differing in their content of the nutrient of interest) to study the ability of the injection of TRP, TYR, or other amino acids or drugs, or the ingestion of particular meals to modify the amounts of protein or carbohydrates the animal elects to consume subsequent to the experimental treatment. (4) Pituitary hormone sections: the secretions of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PL) have been shown to be influenced by drugs that modify the amounts of 5HT and CAM receptors in the brain, we will thus study the secretion of GH and PL following the administration of TRP, TYR or other amino acids or drugs, and following the ingestion of particular meals that should alter brain 5HT or CAM synthesis. Finally, although most studies will focus on 5HT and CAM, we also intend to explore the possibility that diet-induced changes in acetylcholine (ACH) formation in brain influence the brain outputs under investigation. The results of this line of study, aside from elucidating potentially-important brain mechanisms, could also aid in the management of certain disease states involving altered levels and release of 5HT, CAM or ACH by brain neurons. By providing simple, dietary treatments for helping to correct the neurotransmitter imbalance.