title: Low dose alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) in the treatment of dystonia and dyskinesia.
abstract: AMPT (alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine) is an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. In clinical settings, AMPT is approved to treat pheochromocytoma. Dystonias and dyskinesias seem to have their origin in inconsistent regulation of dopamine function in dopamine pathways. This paper presents case histories of the clinical efficacy of AMPT for treating certain individuals with neuroleptic-induced dystonia or dyskinesia. The authors propose that a special utility of AMPT in tardive disorders may be related to a downregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity that may be increased by neuroleptic-induced effects on tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky, 306 Whitney-Hendrickson Building, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. docank@newave.net
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ankenman
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Salvatore
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004421:Dystonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004298:Dopamine