title: Catecholamine metabolism in the attention deficit disorder: implications for the use of amino acid precursor therapy.
abstract: The use of catecholamine precursors and agonists in the attention deficit disorder and various biochemical studies have implicated deficient catecholamine metabolism in the pathogenesis of this illness. The amino acid L-tyrosine, a catecholamine precursor, is capable of augmenting central dopamine norepinephrine. Study of its use in the treatment of the attention deficit disorder as a safer alternative to stimulant therapy is thus warranted.
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D010389:Pemoline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D014443:Tyrosine; D007980:Levodopa; D010389:Pemoline; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine