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Assessment or central dopaminergic function using plasma-free homovanillic acid after debrisoquin administration

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Summary

Central dopaminergic (DA) function in children and adults was assessed by monitoring plasma-free levels of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (pHVA) before and after a single oral dose and chronic oral administration of debrisoquin. Debrisoquin inhibits peripheral metabolism of dopamine to HVA and does not cross the blood-brain barrier. By reducing peripheral formation of HVA through the use of debrisoquin, the remaining HVA in plasma more accurately reflects central DA activity. Debrisoquin administration resulted in marked reductions of pHVA in each of 12 patients studied. Eleven of the 12 subjects tolerated debrisoquin without physical or behavioral side effects. The debrisoquin administration method appears to be a safe and potentially valid technique for evaluating aspects of central dopaminergic function in children and adults.

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Author notes

  1. M. A. Riddle

    Present address: Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    J. F. Leckman, D. J. Cohen, S. I. Ort & K. A. Caruso

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    M. A. Riddle, J. F. Leckman & D. J. Cohen

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    M. A. Riddle, J. F. Leckman, D. J. Cohen & B. A. Shaywitz

  4. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    M. Anderson

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  1. M. A. Riddle
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  2. J. F. Leckman
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  3. D. J. Cohen
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  4. M. Anderson
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  5. S. I. Ort
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  6. K. A. Caruso
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  7. B. A. Shaywitz
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Riddle, M.A., Leckman, J.F., Cohen, D.J. et al. Assessment or central dopaminergic function using plasma-free homovanillic acid after debrisoquin administration. J. Neural Transmission 67, 31–43 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01243357

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01243357

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