Phenylalanine
⤢ 3D
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid and precursor to tyrosine and, in turn, the catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine. While essential in the diet, there is little robust evidence that supplementation improves mood or cognition in healthy people, and individuals with PKU must strictly avoid it. Most benefit is simply meeting normal dietary needs.
Too little may be associated with
Deficiency rare; affects neurotransmitter precursors.
Too much may be associated with
Harmful in PKU; overstimulation in excess.
Informational only — not medical advice.
Neurotransmitters
Amino acids
Related
Research (9)
- [Properties of milk in sleep induction] Ortega et al. (2023) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Shared GABA transmission pathology in dopamine agonist- and antagonist-induced dyskinesia Abe et al. (2023) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Dopamine in Health and Disease: Much More Than a Neurotransmitter Franco et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Neurophysiological symptoms and aspartame: What is the connection? Choudhary et al. (2018) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Monoamine neurotransmitter deficiencies Pearl (2013) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Tyrosine, phenylalanine, and catecholamine synthesis and function in the brain Fernstrom et al. (2007) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Cloning of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin transporters from monkey brain: relevance to cocaine sensitivity Miller et al. (2001) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- The neurochemistry of phenylketonuria Surtees et al. (2000) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Dopamine precursors and brain function in phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency Lou (1994) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
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