An open clinical trial of L-dopa and carbidopa in adults with minimal brain dysfunction.
MBD has long been considered a childhood disorders. Recent research suggests that in some it persists into adult life and that at least one form is a consequence of reduced activity of dopaminergic systems in the brain. To test this hypothesis, three adults with "presumptive" MBD were given L-dopa plus carbidopa. Although overall this combination was less effective than stimulant medication, all the patients showed an initial response, and in one patient L-dopa seemed to potentiate the effect of methylphenidate. The authors point out that various dopamine agonists have different effects and that the possible potentiation effect is consistent with a dopaminergic hypothesis.
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004338:Drug Combinations; D008774:Methylphenidate; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa