Therapy of intention myoclonus with L-5-hydroxytryptophan and a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, MK 486.
Three patients with postanoxic intention myoclonus, two patients with intention tremor, and one patient with cerebral palsy were administered L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5HTP), the precursor of serotonin, in combination with MK 486, a peripheral amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor. L-5HTP combined with MK 486 were potent long-term therapeutic agents for postanoxic intention myoclonus, but had no effect on intention tremor or cerebral palsy. These drugs were well-tolerated by the patients, and more effective than any other known therapy for intention myoclonus. Cerebrospinal fluid concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the main catabolite of serotonin, appeared low in two patients with intention myoclonus and increased markedly during drug therapy. Postanoxic intention myoclonus may be causally related to a deficiency of brain serotonin.[1]References
- Therapy of intention myoclonus with L-5-hydroxytryptophan and a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, MK 486. Van Woert, M.H., Sethy, V.H. Neurology (1975) [Pubmed]
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