L-dopa
L-dopa, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl alanine, or 3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-L-alanine, or 3-hydroxy-L-tyrosine, alternatively, is a pharmaceutically active compound, which is active at the inhibition of symptoms of the Parkinsons disease, particularly at the inhibition of the tremor related to the Parkinsons disease. L-dopa is the precursor for the neurotransmitter dopamine. L-dopa is transported to the brain and is picked up by the nerve cells that produce dopamine. Once there, L-dopa is converted into dopamine for the nerve cells to use as a neurotransmitter. L-dopa, in combination with carbidopa or benserazide, remains one of the most effective therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD). Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurological syndrome characterized by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal tract. Specifically, dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra degenerate, resulting in the loss of dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) input to the striatum. The reduction of dopamine in the striatum causes several symptoms such as increased muscle rigidity, resting tremor, bradykinesia, and abnormalities of posture and gait. The level of decrease in dopamine synthesis correlates with the severity of the symptoms. Without treatment, PD patients eventually progress to a tragically debilitating rigid state. L-dopa has been developed as a precursor of dopamine to make up for deficiency in dopamine in the brain of patients with Parkinson's disease, and is now generally accepted as the first drug of choice in the field. L-dopa is effective against rigidity and tremor which represent the main symptoms of parkinsonism, but its activity against rigidity prevails. L-dopa also produces signs of stimulation of the adrenergic system, which are a different expression of the same mechanism of action as responsible for its therapeutic effects. Long-term treatment of Parkinson's disease with L-DOPA is, however, unfortunately complicated by erratic responses (wearing-off's and on-off's), dyskinetic movements, and psychosis.
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