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Catecholamines and mania: The effect of alpha‐methyl‐para‐tyrosine on manic behavior and catecholamine metabolism
Author(s) -
Brodie H. Keith H.,
Murphy Dennis L.,
Goodwin Frederick K.,
Bunney William E.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt1971122part1218
Subject(s) - catecholamine , mania , dopamine , endocrinology , medicine , tyrosine , norepinephrine , alpha (finance) , bipolar disorder , chemistry , biochemistry , lithium (medication) , clinical psychology , construct validity , psychometrics
Alpha‐methyl‐para‐tyrosine (AMPT), an inhibitor of catecholamine biosynthesis, was given to 7 manic and 3 depressed patients under double‐blind conditions. Five of the 7 manic patients became less manic, while the three depressed patients became more depressed. Urinary excretion of catecholamine metabolites and dopamine was significantly decreased in all. These behavioral and biochemical changes confirm previous indirect evidence implicating catecholamines in affective disorders.