L-DOPA
L-DOPA
L-DOPA (pronounced el-doh-puh), also known as levodopa (pronounced lee-voh-doh-puh), is a naturally occurring dietary supplement and psychoactive drug found in certain kinds of food and herbs. It is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Dopa-Responsive Dystonia.
Etymology
The term "L-DOPA" is derived from its chemical name, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. The "L" refers to the levorotatory isomeric form of DOPA, which is the form that is biologically active. The term "levodopa" is a combination of "levo-" (from Latin, meaning "left") and "DOPA".
Usage
L-DOPA is used in the clinical treatment of Parkinson's disease and Dopa-Responsive Dystonia. It is also used in the laboratory for research purposes. L-DOPA is a direct precursor to dopamine, and is converted to dopamine in the brain and body by the enzyme DOPA decarboxylase.
Related Terms
- Dopamine: A type of neurotransmitter, which is a chemical released by neurons to send signals to other neurons.
- DOPA decarboxylase: An enzyme that converts L-DOPA to dopamine.
- Parkinson's disease: A long-term degenerative disorder of the nervous system that mainly affects the motor system.
- Dopa-Responsive Dystonia: A condition characterized by dystonia and a dramatic response to treatment with L-DOPA.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on L-DOPA
- Wikipedia's article - L-DOPA
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