CASE 3 – A study on the effects of oral tyrosine administration
Tyrosine is a precursor of the catecholamines dopamine and noradrenaline. Catecholamines, including dopamine, are important for working memory.
Several studies involving young adults have shown that tyrosine administration can reverse impaired working memory impairments under stressful conditions and can improve working memory under normal conditions.
However, the effects of tyrosine on plasma tyrosine levels and cognition in aging are currently unknown. One of the hallmarks of aging is a decrease in dopamine receptors in the brain, which is accompanied by impaired working memory. Therefore, elderly adults may experience benefits in cognition from tyrosine supplementation, perhaps at relatively higher doses.
To study the effects of tyrosine administration on plasma tyrosine levels and working memory, researchers proposed to examine the effects of administering a single dose of tyrosine (100, 150, or 200 mg/kg body weight) on working memory in elderly adults. A reference group consisting of young adults will receive a single dose of tyrosine (150 mg/kg).
Following an overnight fast, the respective dose of L-tyrosine powder will be mixed with a banana-flavored yogurt, which the participants will consume. Ninety-five minutes after consuming the L-tyrosine, the participants will perform a numerical N-back task on a computer in order to test their working memory capacity. In addition, plasma tyrosine concentrations will be measured at seven time points by collecting 10-ml blood samples.
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