Abstract
Evidence suggests that stress and/or a dietary lack of tryptophan may make deficiencies of serotonin and melatonin common. In addition, older animals and human beings have a reduced ability to synthesize melatonin. Disorders of melatonin levels and rhythms are suggested to be a cause of affective disease, abnormal sleep, Alzheimer's disease, and some age related disorders. If these ideas prove to be true, then preventive measures are possible.
MeSH terms
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Aging / metabolism
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Animals
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Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
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Bipolar Disorder / metabolism
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Dementia / drug therapy
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Dementia / metabolism
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Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
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Depressive Disorder / metabolism
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Humans
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Melatonin / metabolism
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Melatonin / therapeutic use*
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Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
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Mental Disorders / metabolism
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Sleep Wake Disorders / drug therapy*
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Sleep Wake Disorders / metabolism
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Tryptophan / metabolism
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Tryptophan / therapeutic use*