[Psychopharmacology of tryptophan (author's transl)].

L-tryptophan is a widely distributed aminoacid, the metabolic pathways of which include serotonin synthesis. Many authors have studied the effects of tryptophan upon the central nervous system in man and animals since serotonin is considered as a neurotransmitter. The most promising results are related to the treatment of depressive disorders. It could be assumed that a better understanding of the role of serotonin and other tryptophan metabolites would presumably lead to further clinical applications.