Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor

An aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor (synonyms: DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, DDCI and AAADI) is a drug which inhibits the synthesis of dopamine by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD, or DOPA decarboxylase, DDC).

Indications

Peripheral DDCIs incapable of crossing the protective blood-brain-barrier (BBB) are used in augmentation of L-DOPA (Levodopa) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) to block the peripheral conversion of L-DOPA into dopamine for the purpose of reducing adverse side effects.[1] Combined l-dopa and DDCI therapy does not inherently decrease peripheral cardiovascular side effects of l-dopa administration; however, combined therapy potentiates the central effects of l-dopa by decreasing the dose-dependency 4-5 fold, therein allowing for effective Parkinson's Disease treatment without cardiovascular risk associated with high peripheral dopamine.[2][3]

List of DDCIs

References

  1. ↑ "Editorial: Dopa decarboxylase inhibitors". British Medical Journal 4 (5939): 250–1. November 1974. doi:10.1136/bmj.4.5939.250. PMC 1612227. PMID 4425849.
  2. ↑ Cotzias, G. C., Papavasiliou, P. S., and Gellene, R., New England Journalof Medicine, 1969, 280, 337.
  3. ↑ Yahr, M. D., in Advances in Neurology, ed. M. D. Yahr, p. vi, vol. 2. New York, Raven Press, 1973.


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