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The effect of carbidopa and benserazide on human plasma 5-hydroxytryptophan levels

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Summary

Peripheral aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitors increase human plasma 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) levels. However the 5-HTP, which is synthesized in the intestine, is not present in a sufficient quantity to influence brain 5-HT to any significant degree. Thus, peripheral decarboxylase inhibitors are unlikely to affect brain 5-HT function via 5-HTP which is synthesized peripherally.

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Author notes

  1. S. N. Young

    Present address: Departments of Psychiatry, of Neurology and Neurosurgery and of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

  2. G. M. Anderson

    Present address: Child Study Center, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, 06510, New Haven, CT, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry, of Neurology and Neurosurgery and of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    S. Gauthier, G. Chouinard, G. M. Anderson & W. C. Purdy

Authors
  1. S. N. Young
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  2. S. Gauthier
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  3. G. Chouinard
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  4. G. M. Anderson
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  5. W. C. Purdy
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Young, S.N., Gauthier, S., Chouinard, G. et al. The effect of carbidopa and benserazide on human plasma 5-hydroxytryptophan levels. J. Neural Transmission 53, 83–87 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01243522

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01243522

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