Neuroscience Letters 1988-11-11

Changes in the rat sleep-wake cycle produced by D,L-beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine, a tryptophan analog.

C Rogemont, N Sarda, A Gharib, H Pacheco

Index: Neurosci. Lett. 93(2-3) , 287-93, (1988)

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Abstract

The effects of i.p. injections of D,L-beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine, a synthetic analog of tryptophan were tested on the rat sleep-waking cycle. Administration of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in slow-wave sleep (SWS) and a decrease in paradoxical sleep (PS). These modifications were dose-dependent. These results were compared with those previously obtained with L-tryptophan and several analogs and discussed in relation with possible changes in central serotonergic activity.