{"id":9577,"date":"2021-03-19T14:00:39","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T21:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=9577"},"modified":"2021-03-19T10:50:32","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T17:50:32","slug":"5-htp-in-parkinsons-disease-benefits-for-depression-levodopa-induced-motor-complications-anxiety-and-sleep-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/5-htp-in-parkinsons-disease-benefits-for-depression-levodopa-induced-motor-complications-anxiety-and-sleep-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"5-HTP in Parkinson\u2019s disease: benefits for depression, levodopa-induced motor complications, anxiety and sleep issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"5-HTP<\/p>\n

Research shows that the amino acid 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), the intermediate metabolite of tryptophan in the production of serotonin, offers benefits for Parkinson\u2019s disease patients. It has been reported to ease depression and to reduce levodopa-induced motor complications. This was reported in two separate studies by the same research team at the University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. They were small studies and considered preliminary. However, given what I know about the effectiveness of 5-HTP (for depression, anxiety and insomnia), I consider it a major step forward for Parkinson\u2019s disease patients.<\/p>\n

In this study, Efficacy and safety of 5-hydroxytryptophan on depression and apathy in Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary finding<\/a>, 25 individuals with Parkinson\u2019s disease were enrolled and \u201cpatients received placebo or 50 mg of 5-HTP daily over a period of 4 weeks<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The findings were as follows:<\/p>\n

a significant improvement of depressive symptoms during the 50-mg 5-HTP treatment compared with placebo.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this study 5-HTP was not shown to reduce apathy symptoms. This is not surprising to me, given that we typically see the amino acid tyrosine<\/a>\u00a0help with apathy symptoms associated with low catecholamines, rather than low serotonin.<\/p>\n

In this study, Efficacy and safety of 5-Hydroxytryptophan on levodopa-induced motor complications in Parkinson’s disease: A preliminary finding<\/a>, 12 Parkinson\u2019s patients who were diagnosed with levodopa-induced dyskinesias<\/a>\u00a0(involuntary, erratic, writhing movements of the face, arms, legs or trunk) and motor fluctuations were included. Patients received placebo or 50 mg of 5-HTP daily over 4 weeks.<\/p>\n

The findings were as follows:<\/p>\n

a significant improvement of levodopa-induced dyskinesias during the 50 mg 5-HTP treatment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The study authors make the serotonin-dyskinesias connection, stating that \u201cSeveral studies have indicated that altered serotonergic neurotransmission may contribute to the motor features commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease drug treatment such as levodopa-induced dyskinesias.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Both studies were single-center, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trials, and both recommend larger studies, longer treatment duration and different doses in order to corroborate these early findings.<\/p>\n

Sleep disorders, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and anxiety in Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/h2>\n

As reported in this paper, Spectrum of Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite their significant clinical importance, the awareness of non-motor symptoms is quite negligible. Sleep disorders, gastrointestinal dysfunction, olfactory disturbances, anxiety, and depressive episodes are some of the most common non-motor presentations.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

5-HTP helps with depression, anxiety, sleep issues (more here: Sleep promoting effects of combined GABA and 5-HTP<\/a>)\u00a0 and digestive issues.<\/p>\n

Given what I know about the effectiveness of 5-HTP in my clients with anxiety, low mood and sleep issues, I consider this research a major step forward for Parkinson\u2019s disease patients who may also experience anxiety, depression and sleep issues.<\/p>\n

5-HTP also improves focus and when to switch to tryptophan<\/h2>\n

I was surprised to read that it has been hypothesized that ADHD and Parkinson\u2019s disease share \u201cseveral overlapping anatomical and neurochemical changes<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

As you can see from these blog posts, in addition to boosting mood, 5-HTP also improves focus and ADHD symptoms:<\/p>\n