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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