Effects of l-theanine on anxiety-like behavior, cerebrospinal fluid amino acid profile, and hippocampal activity in Wistar Kyoto rats

Rationale and objectives The amino acid l-theanine (N-ethyl-l-glutamine) has historically been considered a relaxing agent. In the present study, we examined the effects of repeated l-theanine administration on behavior, levels of amino acids in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and hippocampal activity in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, an animal model of anxiety and depressive disorders.