The psychological effects of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibition in normal subjects

Acute administration of the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor, fusaric acid, combined with L-dopa, 500 mg, produced discernible psychological abnormalities in normal subjects. These were not found after L-dopa alone, or after placebo. The changes, lasting a few hours, were manifested by sign...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBiological psychiatry (1969) Vol. 14; no. 3; p. 455
Main Authors Hartmann, E, Keller-Teschke, M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.1979
Subjects
Adult
Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase - antagonists & inhibitors
Fusaric Acid - pharmacology
Humans
Levodopa - pharmacology
Male
Mental Disorders - chemically induced
Mental Disorders - enzymology
Mental Disorders - psychology
Perception - drug effects
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Social Behavior
Verbal Behavior - drug effects
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ISSN0006-3223

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Summary:Acute administration of the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor, fusaric acid, combined with L-dopa, 500 mg, produced discernible psychological abnormalities in normal subjects. These were not found after L-dopa alone, or after placebo. The changes, lasting a few hours, were manifested by significant increases in "total psychopathology," and in a number of subscales on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Changes were also found in mood ratings on adjective checklists, and inkblot tests. A variety of effects were found on psychiatric interview. Since DBH does not occur in dopamine neurons, it is likely that the psychological effects were due to changes in dopamine or norepinephrine in norepinephrine neurons.
ISSN:0006-3223