Serotonin and myoclonus.

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.

• 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.)

Chemical References

• Indoles
• Serotonin
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
• 5-Hydroxytryptophan
• Carbidopa
• Homovanillic Acid

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)