L-tryptophan supplementation in Parkinson's disease.
Two female Parkinsonian patients with levodopa-induced "On-Off" responded dramatically to administration of L-tryptophan supplementation. This report highlights the role of serotonergic deficiency in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and of levodopa-induced motor fluctuations, and suggests that L-tryptophan supplementation may be useful in ameliorating motor complications of chronic levodopa therapy in the disease. The possibility that L-tryptophan supplementation with initiation of levodopa therapy may be useful in preventing levodopa-induced motor complications is discussed.
Sandyk
R
R
Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724.
Fisher
H
H
D000368:Aged; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007980:Levodopa; D014364:Tryptophan