Dieting changes serotonergic function in women, not men: implications for the aetiology of anorexia nervosa?

Journal article

The increase in plasma prolactin which follows intravenous administration of L-tryptophan (LTP) was used to assess changes in brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) function in normal male and female subjects, following a three week period of dieting. In women, but not men, there was a marked increase in the prolactin response to LTP, suggesting that dieting had caused alterations in brain 5-HT-mediated responses. In contrast, dieting did not alter the prolactin response to thyrotropin releasing ho...

Expand abstract

Authors: Goodwin, G; Fairburn, C; Cowen, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Psychological medicine
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 839-842
• Publication date: 1987-11-01
• EISSN: 1469-8978
• ISSN: 0033-2917
• Language: English
• Keywords: Brain; Sex Factors; Diet, Reducing; Anorexia Nervosa; Prolactin; Tryptophan; Female; Receptors, Serotonin; Adult; Male; Body Weight; Humans; Serotonin