Effect of 5-Hydroxytryptophane Upon Electroencephalogram in Hepatic Coma.

Abstract

There was a decreased excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) by patients with severe liver disease. On the hypothesis that there might be decreased synthesis of precursor 5-hydroxytryptophane (5-HTP) in hepatic disease 10 mg of dl 5-HTP were given in an infusion over 20 minutes, intravenously, to patients in hepatic coma. The eeg patterns were altered during the infusion, with decrease of slow activity and increase of low voltage fast activity. The eeg returned to the pre-infusion patterns shortly after the end of the infusion. These changes did not occur in patients with coma due to other causes. This was interpreted as indicating a deficiency of serotonin in the brain caused by a diminished synthesis of its precursor, 5-HTP, by the diseased liver.