Abstract |
Biochemical studies of serotonin metabolism and a therapeutic trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) in combination with carbidopa were carried out in 19 patients with myoclonus. In 6 patients with intention myoclonus, the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, a metabolite of serotonin was found to be significantly decreased. L-5-HTP with carbidopa dramatically decreased the frequency and intensity of myoclonus, particularly in those patients with a diagnosis of postanoxic intention myoclonus. The major side effects have been anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and mental stimulation. We suggest that a deficiency of brain serotonin is causally related to myoclonic muscle movements and the therapeutic efficacy of L-5-HTP plus carbidopa may be due to the repletion of serotonin in regions of the brain where serotoninergic neurons have degenerated.
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Authors | M H Van Woert, R Jutkowitz, D Rosenbaum, M B Bowers Jr |
Journal | Monographs in neural sciences
(Monogr Neural Sci)
Vol. 3
Pg. 71-80
( 1976)
ISSN: 0300-5186 [Print] Switzerland |
PMID | 790170
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Indoles
- Serotonin
- Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan
- Carbidopa
- Homovanillic Acid
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Topics |
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Carbidopa
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Epilepsy
(drug therapy, metabolism)
- Female
- Homovanillic Acid
(cerebrospinal fluid)
- Humans
- Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
(cerebrospinal fluid)
- Indoles
(cerebrospinal fluid)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Myoclonus
(drug therapy, metabolism)
- Serotonin
(metabolism)
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