Therapy of intention myoclonus with L-5-hydroxytryptophan and a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, MK 486.

Abstract

Three patients with postanoxic intention myoclonus, two patients with intention tremor, and one patient with cerebral palsy were administered L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5HTP), the precursor of serotonin, in combination with MK 486, a peripheral amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor. L-5HTP combined with MK 486 were potent long-term therapeutic agents for postanoxic intention myoclonus, but had no effect on intention tremor or cerebral palsy. These drugs were well-tolerated by the patients, and more effective than any other known therapy for intention myoclonus. Cerebrospinal fluid concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the main catabolite of serotonin, appeared low in two patients with intention myoclonus and increased markedly during drug therapy. Postanoxic intention myoclonus may be causally related to a deficiency of brain serotonin.

• Authors: M H Van Woert, V H Sethy
• Journal: Neurology (Neurology) Vol. 25 Issue 2 Pg. 135-40 (Feb 1975) ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1078720 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors
• Hydrazines
• Serotonin
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
• 5-Hydroxytryptophan
• Carbidopa
• Probenecid
• Homovanillic Acid
• Methysergide

Topics

• 5-Hydroxytryptophan (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors
• Carbidopa (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Cerebral Palsy (drug therapy)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Homovanillic Acid (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Humans
• Hydrazines (therapeutic use)
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Hypoxia (complications)
• Male
• Methysergide (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Myoclonus (cerebrospinal fluid, drug therapy, etiology)
• Probenecid (cerebrospinal fluid, therapeutic use)
• Serotonin (metabolism, physiology)