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Dopaminergic dysfunction in tourette syndrome
Author(s) -
Singer Harvey S.,
Butler Ian J.,
Tune Larry E.,
Seifert William E.,
Coyle Joseph T.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410120408
Subject(s) - haloperidol , homovanillic acid , tourette syndrome , dopaminergic , cerebrospinal fluid , tourette's syndrome , dopamine receptor , medicine , anesthesia , psychology , prospective cohort study , dopamine , psychiatry , receptor , serotonin
A prospective clinical and biochemical study on the effects of treatment with haloperidol has been performed in seven patients with Tourette syndrome. Pretteatment cerebrospinal fluid levels of homovanillic acid (CSF HV A) were significantly reduced in all patients, whereas 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid was reduced in only two. With haloperidol treatment, symptoms decreased in all cases (21 to 88%) and clinical improvement was associated withan increased level of CSF HV A, often returning to the normal range. Optimal therapeutic response was found with serum levels of haloperidol between 1 and 4 ng/ml; however, disturbing side effects also occurred within this range. These results support the hypothesis that Tourette syndrome may result form a supersensitivity of dopaminergic receptors.