What is the impact of 5-Hydroxytryptophan on Caenorhabditis Elegans (N2) behavior?

Abstract

Depression affects approximately 9.5% of American adults, leading to increased dependence on antidepressant medication. Consequently, a recurrent use of a drug called 5-HTP sparked the interest of depressive patients. With a comprehensive understanding of the potential side effects of the drug, it makes it more reliant to use. It was necessary to understand the long-term probable effects it has on locomotion. Our hypothesis posits that consistent consumption of this medication would lead to a reduction in center point speed. To do this, our research studied its effects on Caenorhabditis Elegans (N2) behavior. We fed them 0.0125 mL of a 200mg 5-HTP x 50 mL of OP-50 food source to the experimental group and 0.0125 mL of the OP-50 food source. We fed them during two intervals, one in the morning (8:10-8:15) and one in the afternoon (1:15-1:20), while observing them through a light microscope before we fed them. Using an iPhone 14 Pro camera, we inputted the videos onto Wormlab, tracking their center point speed (μm/s) and distance traveled forward (μm). The results were observed to conclude the delayed movement of drug-induced C.Elegans compared to the control group. The quantitative conclusion includes an average center point speed of 167.32 μm for the control group and 148.42 μm for the experimental group.