The effects of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine on the total norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid and freezing gait in parkinsonian patients.
We studied the effects of L-threo-DOPS (L-DOPS) on the concentrations of total (conjugated and unconjugated) dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of parkinsonian patients with freezing phenomenon. The NE concentration increased remarkably and dose-dependently after administration of L-DOPS in both L-dopa/carbidopa-pretreated and untreated patients. The DA concentration also increased mildly but significantly in L-dopa/carbidopa-untreated patients. Freezing phenomenon improved in 6 out of 8 patients at Hoehn and Yahr's stage III, and 1 out of 5 patients at stage IV. These results indicate that L-DOPS administration increases the NE concentration dose-dependently, and is effective for freezing of gait of moderate severity.
Tohgi
H
H
Department of Neurology, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan.
Abe
T
T
Takahashi
S
S
D000368:Aged; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015103:Droxidopa / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D007980:Levodopa; D015103:Droxidopa; D002230:Carbidopa; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine