Metabolism of tryptophan in childhood epilepsy.

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The tryptophan load test was applied to 139 children comprising the following clinical groups healthy controls; children with chronic cerebral disorders unassociated with epilepsy; children with epilepsy other than infantile spasms; and children with infantile spasms, subdivided into cryptogenic and symptomatic groups. The excretion of xanthurenic acid, and in some cases of 4 others metabolites, was determined. Results were abnormal in about 1/3 of patients in each group. There was no correlation of abnormal results with the presumed etiology, the degree of mental subnormality, or the severity of eeg abnormality, and the results appeared to be unaffected by anticonvulsant therapy. The excretion of metabolites other than xanthurenic acid supports the view that an abnormal result in these patients is related to a defect of pyridoxine utilization. The tryptophan load test was of little value in the investigation of convulsive disorders in children.