Neuroticism as a predictor of mood change: the effects of tryptophan depletion

Mary E. Stewart; I. J. Deary; K. P. Ebmeier

doi:10.1192/bjp.181.3.242

Neuroticism as a predictor of mood change: the effects of tryptophan depletion

Mary E. Stewart, I. J. Deary, K. P. Ebmeier^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background
Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) results in a transient lowering of mood in patients recovered from depression and in healthy volunteers with a family history of affective disorders. The personality trait of neuroticism is strongly associated with depression.

Aims
To assess whether neuroticism predicts mood change in response to ATD in healthy volunteers.

Method
Healthy volunteers who scored at the top and bottom fifth percentiles of neuroticism scores (17 and 15 respectively) were selected. In a double-blind, crossover study they received a tryptophan-free or a control drink. Mood and cognition were assessed.

Results
Neuroticism did not predict the amount of mood change following ATD but did moderate performance on the verbal fluency test. A family history of affective disorder (n=5) predicted mood change but not cognitive function following ATD.

Conclusions
Neuroticism moderates aspects of cognitive function, but in this study it was not strongly related with mood change via serotonin.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	242-247
Number of pages	6
Journal	British Journal of Psychiatry
Volume	181
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.181.3.242
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2002
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Neuroticism as a predictor of mood change: the effects of tryptophan depletion",

abstract = "Background Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) results in a transient lowering of mood in patients recovered from depression and in healthy volunteers with a family history of affective disorders. The personality trait of neuroticism is strongly associated with depression. Aims To assess whether neuroticism predicts mood change in response to ATD in healthy volunteers. Method Healthy volunteers who scored at the top and bottom fifth percentiles of neuroticism scores (17 and 15 respectively) were selected. In a double-blind, crossover study they received a tryptophan-free or a control drink. Mood and cognition were assessed. Results Neuroticism did not predict the amount of mood change following ATD but did moderate performance on the verbal fluency test. A family history of affective disorder (n=5) predicted mood change but not cognitive function following ATD. Conclusions Neuroticism moderates aspects of cognitive function, but in this study it was not strongly related with mood change via serotonin.",

author = "Stewart, \{Mary E.\} and Deary, \{I. J.\} and Ebmeier, \{K. P.\}",

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T1 - Neuroticism as a predictor of mood change: the effects of tryptophan depletion

AU - Stewart, Mary E.

AU - Deary, I. J.

AU - Ebmeier, K. P.

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N2 - Background Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) results in a transient lowering of mood in patients recovered from depression and in healthy volunteers with a family history of affective disorders. The personality trait of neuroticism is strongly associated with depression. Aims To assess whether neuroticism predicts mood change in response to ATD in healthy volunteers. Method Healthy volunteers who scored at the top and bottom fifth percentiles of neuroticism scores (17 and 15 respectively) were selected. In a double-blind, crossover study they received a tryptophan-free or a control drink. Mood and cognition were assessed. Results Neuroticism did not predict the amount of mood change following ATD but did moderate performance on the verbal fluency test. A family history of affective disorder (n=5) predicted mood change but not cognitive function following ATD. Conclusions Neuroticism moderates aspects of cognitive function, but in this study it was not strongly related with mood change via serotonin.

AB - Background Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) results in a transient lowering of mood in patients recovered from depression and in healthy volunteers with a family history of affective disorders. The personality trait of neuroticism is strongly associated with depression. Aims To assess whether neuroticism predicts mood change in response to ATD in healthy volunteers. Method Healthy volunteers who scored at the top and bottom fifth percentiles of neuroticism scores (17 and 15 respectively) were selected. In a double-blind, crossover study they received a tryptophan-free or a control drink. Mood and cognition were assessed. Results Neuroticism did not predict the amount of mood change following ATD but did moderate performance on the verbal fluency test. A family history of affective disorder (n=5) predicted mood change but not cognitive function following ATD. Conclusions Neuroticism moderates aspects of cognitive function, but in this study it was not strongly related with mood change via serotonin.

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DO - 10.1192/bjp.181.3.242

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JF - British Journal of Psychiatry

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Neuroticism as a predictor of mood change: the effects of tryptophan depletion

Abstract

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