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Nucleus ruber and L-Dopa psychosis: Biochemical post-mortem findings

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Summary

  1. 1.

    In various areas of the brainstem: nucleus caudatus, putamen, gyrus cinguli, oral and caudal part of substantia nigra, nucleus amygdalae, globus pallidus, raphe, and nucleus ruber L-tyrosine, dopamine, noradrenaline, L-tryptophan, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were investigated in eight cases of deceased L-Dopa psychosis, six cases of parkinsonian patients without psychotic symptoms, and in nine controls.

  2. 2.

    The values of L-tyrosine in all investigated areas were increased in parkinsonian patients as well as in L-Dopa psychosis.

  3. 3.

    The dopamine levels in all areas were decreased in both groups.

  4. 4.

    Noradrenaline shows moderate slight increase in six out of nine regions in the psychotic group, when compared to parkinsonian patients without psychotic symptoms.

  5. 5.

    L-tryptophan levels in the psychotic group are decreased in all areas, whereas levels in parkinsonian patients without psychotic symptoms are equal to those of the Controls.

  6. 6.

    The 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the psychotic group are increased in eight of nine regions, when compared to parkinsonian patients without psychotic symptoms, predominantly in the nucleus ruber, somewhat less in the raphe, and in the globus pallidus.

  7. 7.

    5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels show a similar pattern as 5-HT.

  8. 8.

    The loss of balance will be discussed as trigger of the psychotic symptoms.

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Abbreviations

L-DOPA:

3, 4-Dihydroxy-phenylalanine

Try:

L-Tryptophan

Tyr:

L-Tyrosine

5-HT:

Serotonin (=5-Hydroxytryptamine)

DA:

Dopamine (=3-Hydroxytyramine)

5-HIAA:

5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid

NA:

Noradrenaline (=Norepinephrine)

HVA:

Homovanillic acid

MHPG:

3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol

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  1. W. Birkmayer

    Present address: Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut für Neurochemie, Vienna, Austria

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut für Neurochemie, Vienna, Austria

    W. Danielczyk, E. Neumayer & P. Riederer

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  1. W. Birkmayer
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Birkmayer, W., Danielczyk, W., Neumayer, E. et al. Nucleus ruber and L-Dopa psychosis: Biochemical post-mortem findings. J. Neural Transmission 35, 93–116 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01250738

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