Effect of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine chronic administration on cerebrospinal fluid and plasma free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol concentration in patients with Parkinson's disease.
L-Threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-threo-DOPS) was administered as a means of treating akinesia in 9 patients with Parkinson's disease and one with pure akinesia. Akinetic symptoms were improved in 7 of 10 patients. During chronic L-threo-DOPS treatment, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma concentrations of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and L-threo-DOPS were measured in these 10 patients. The results show that there were no significant changes in either CSF or plasma free MHPG concentrations before or during L-threo-DOPS administration. The L-threo-DOPS concentration during treatment was not measurable in the CSF of 2 patients nor in the plasma of 1 out of 4 patients given only L-threo-DOPS. It was, however, measured in all patients treated with a combination of L-threo-DOPS and L-DOPA plus carbidopa. The results show that L-threo-DOPS is transported into the CSF, and suggest that its active mechanism may be further clarified by studying its action on not only noradrenaline, but also other neurotransmitters.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015103:Droxidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006018:Glycols / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012694:Serine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D006018:Glycols; D012694:Serine; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D015103:Droxidopa; D002230:Carbidopa; D009638:Norepinephrine