Low dose alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) in the treatment of dystonia and dyskinesia

Ralph Ankenman, Michael F. Salvatore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

AMPT (alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine) is an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. In clinical settings, AMPT is approved to treat pheochromocytoma. Dystonias and dyskinesias seem to have their origin in inconsistent regulation of dopamine function in dopamine pathways. This paper presents case histories of the clinical efficacy of AMPT for treating certain individuals with neuroleptic-induced dystonia or dyskinesia. The authors propose that a special utility of AMPT in tardive disorders may be related to a downregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity that may be increased by neuroleptic-induced effects on tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)65-69
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2007

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