Serotonin and myoclonus.

M H Van Woert; R Jutkowitz; D Rosenbaum; M B Bowers

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PubMed · 790170

Serotonin and myoclonus.

M H Van Woert·R Jutkowitz·D Rosenbaum·M B Bowers

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Abstract

Biochemical studies of serotonin metabolism and a therapeutic trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) in combination with carbidopa were carried out in 19 patients with myoclonus. In 6 patients with intention myoclonus, the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, a metabolite of serotonin was found to be significantly decreased. L-5-HTP with carbidopa dramatically decreased the frequency and intensity of myoclonus, particularly in those patients with a diagnosis of postanoxic intention myoclonus. The major side effects have been anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and mental stimulation. We suggest that a deficiency of brain serotonin is causally related to myoclonic muscle movements and the therapeutic efficacy of L-5-HTP plus carbidopa may be due to the repletion of serotonin in regions of the brain where serotoninergic neurons have degenerated.

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5-Hydroxytryptophan Adolescent Adult Carbidopa Clinical Trials as Topic Epilepsy Female Homovanillic Acid Humans Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid Indoles Male Middle Aged Myoclonus Serotonin Clinical Trial Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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M H Van Woert, R Jutkowitz, D Rosenbaum, M B Bowers. 1976. Serotonin and myoclonus.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/790170/

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