![L-Tryptophan - L-Tryptophan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/L-Tryptophan_-_L-Tryptophan.svg)
Monoamine precursors are
precursor
Precursor or Precursors may refer to:
* Precursor (religion), a forerunner, predecessor
** The Precursor, John the Baptist
Science and technology
* Precursor (bird), a hypothesized genus of fossil birds that was composed of fossilized parts of u ...
s of
monoamine
Monoamine neurotransmitters are neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that contain one amino group connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain (such as -CH2-CH2-). Examples are dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
All monoamines ar ...
s and
monoamine neurotransmitter
Monoamine neurotransmitters are neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that contain one amino group connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain (such as -CH2-CH2-). Examples are dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
All monoamines ar ...
s in the body.
The
amino acid
Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha a ...
s
L-tryptophan and
L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP; oxitriptan) are precursors of
serotonin and
melatonin, while the amino acids
L-phenylalanine,
L-tyrosine, and
L-DOPA (levodopa) are precursors of
dopamine,
epinephrine (adrenaline), and
norepinephrine
Norepinephrine (NE), also called noradrenaline (NA) or noradrenalin, is an organic chemical in the catecholamine family that functions in the brain and body as both a hormone and neurotransmitter. The name "noradrenaline" (from Latin '' ad' ...
(noradrenaline).
Administration of monoamine precursors can increase the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in the body and brain.
Monoamine precursors may be used in combination with
peripherally selective aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitors (AAAD inhibitors; also known as DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) inhibitors) such as
carbidopa
Carbidopa (Lodosyn) is a drug given to people with Parkinson's disease in order to inhibit peripheral metabolism of levodopa. This property is significant in that it allows a greater proportion of administered levodopa to cross the blood–br ...
and
benserazide
Benserazide (also called Serazide or Ro 4-4602) is a peripherally acting aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase or DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, which is unable to cross the blood–brain barrier.
It is on the World Health Organization's List of ...
.
Carbidopa/levodopa
Carbidopa/levodopa, also known as levocarb and co-careldopa, is the combination of the two medications carbidopa and levodopa. It is primarily used to manage the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but it does not slow down the disease or stop it ...
is used to increase brain dopamine levels in the treatment of
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms becom ...
while
carbidopa/oxitriptan (EVX-101) is under development as an
antidepressant for possible use in the treatment of
depression.
References
Amino acids
Dietary supplements
Prodrugs
*
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