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The balance of biogenic amines as condition for normal behaviour

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Summary

An accumulation of norepinephrin, serotonin and dopamin exists in the brainstem. A decrease of biogenic amines in the brains of Parkinson's cases has been demonstrated. A substitution by the precursor L-DOPA produces an increase of dopamin in the brain and a decrease of serotonin. The high level of dopamin improves the akinesia and the depletion of serotonin causes a toxic delir. A substitution by l-tryptophan restores the balance and the Dopa-psychosis disappears.

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  1. W. Birkmayer, W. Danielczyk, E. Neumayer & P. Riederer

    Present address: Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut für Neurochemie und neurologische Abteilung des Alterskrankenhauses der Stadt Wien-Lainz, Österreich

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    1. W. Birkmayer
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    2. W. Danielczyk
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    3. E. Neumayer
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    4. P. Riederer
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    Birkmayer, W., Danielczyk, W., Neumayer, E. et al. The balance of biogenic amines as condition for normal behaviour. J. Neural Transmission 33, 163–178 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01260902

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