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Effect of L-Dopa on the Locomotor Activity of Rats pretreated with 6-Hydroxydopamine

Nature New Biology volume 234, pages 157–159 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

LARGE doses of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) cause increased locomotor activity in rats and mice pretreated with a peripherally acting decarboxylase inhibitor1–3. The effect of dopa is enhanced in animals pretreated with a mono-amine oxidase inhibitor4–7 and reduced when the decarboxylation of dopa in the brain is inhibited1. Consequently, the increase in motor activity is thought to be due to the formation of catecholamines in the brain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Department of Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115

    NORMAN J. URETSKY & RONALD I. SCHOENFELD

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  1. NORMAN J. URETSKY
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  2. RONALD I. SCHOENFELD
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URETSKY, N., SCHOENFELD, R. Effect of L-Dopa on the Locomotor Activity of Rats pretreated with 6-Hydroxydopamine. Nature New Biology 234, 157–159 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio234157a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio234157a0

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