[Therapeutic activity of tryptophan and its effect on serotonin metabolism in epilepsy patients].

The therapeutic activity of tryptophan and the serotonin blood level in epileptic patients were studied. A group of patients (24 cases) received tryptophan (a source of serotonin synthesis in the organism per os during three weeks in a dose of 0,25 g thrice daily. The studies demonstrated the decreased initial level of blood serotonin in patients, especially in those with frequent epileptic seizures and with the disease of long standing. The intake of tryptophan even after a week of its administration produced a reliable increase in the level of blood serotonin and suggestive changes in the clinical picture. This was especially noticeable in patients with seizures of the grand mal tupe and personality changes.