A simple model of the interactions of dopamine, acetylcholine and GABA in movement disorders seen in psychiatry.
Many of the movement disorders seen in psychiatric patients are determined, in large part, by the dynamic balance of dopamine and acetylcholine in the basal ganglia. Gamma aminobutyric acid has effects on various neurotransmitters in the brain including dopamine and acetylcholine and is therefore relevant to a discussion of movement disorders. Laboratory and clinical data on the effects of gamma aminobutyric acid on dopamine and acetylcholine are discussed, and a simple model of the interactions of these transmitters, with respect to movement disorders seen in psychiatry, is discussed. Some clinical evidence that is consistent with this model is discussed. Guidelines for the use of gamma aminobutyric acid--like drugs for movement disorders seen in clinical practice are also discussed.
Menza
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UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, New Brunswick 08903.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology*; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000109:Acetylcholine; D004298:Dopamine