title: Effect of alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine on response to cocaine challenge.
abstract: This study evaluated the effect of an acute reduction in catecholamine synthesis produced by alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT), a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor, on cocaine-induced euphoria. In a blinded, placebo-controlled study, AMPT (1 g p.o. T.I.D.) was given to 10 non-treatment-seeking cocaine abusers prior to intranasal administration of 2 mg/kg cocaine. AMPT, but not placebo, reduced plasma levels of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid and the norepinephrine metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol. AMPT also elevated prolactin levels, indicating inhibition of the tuberoinfundibular dopamine system. AMPT pretreatment produced a trend toward diminished cocaine "high" AMPT also tended to lower heart rate and blood pressure responses to cocaine, but had no effect on serum cocaine levels. Although we cannot rule out the therapeutic potential of the depletion strategy, our results with AMPT alone, at this dose, do not strongly support it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Stine
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Krystal
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Petrakis
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Jatlow
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Heninger
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kosten
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Charney
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003042:Cocaine; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005059:Euphoria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood; D008781:Methyltyrosines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008781:Methyltyrosines; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D011388:Prolactin; D003042:Cocaine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid