Biomaterial Database

Effect of L-dopa on polycythemia. 1977

Y Herishanu, and P Rosenberg

A patient with Parkinson's disease, in whom polycythemia vera was known to be present for several years prior to the onset of parkinsonian symptoms, received treatment with a preparation consisting of L-dopa plus a decarboxylase inhibitor (Madopar). Improvement in the parkinsonian symptoms was associated with marked improvement in the polycythemia. A therapeutic trial of the same L-dopa preparation in 2 other patients with polycythemia had similar effects. The cases are presented and the possible central therapeutic effect of L-dopa is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007980	Levodopa	The naturally occurring form of DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE and the immediate precursor of DOPAMINE. Unlike dopamine itself, it can be taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is rapidly taken up by dopaminergic neurons and converted to DOPAMINE. It is used for the treatment of PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS and is usually given with agents that inhibit its conversion to dopamine outside of the central nervous system.	L-Dopa,3-Hydroxy-L-tyrosine,Dopaflex,Dopar,L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,Larodopa,Levopa,3 Hydroxy L tyrosine,L 3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,L Dopa
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010300	Parkinson Disease	A progressive, degenerative neurologic disease characterized by a TREMOR that is maximal at rest, retropulsion (i.e. a tendency to fall backwards), rigidity, stooped posture, slowness of voluntary movements, and a masklike facial expression. Pathologic features include loss of melanin containing neurons in the substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei of the brainstem. LEWY BODIES are present in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus but may also be found in a related condition (LEWY BODY DISEASE, DIFFUSE) characterized by dementia in combination with varying degrees of parkinsonism. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1059, pp1067-75)	Idiopathic Parkinson Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson Disease,Paralysis Agitans,Primary Parkinsonism,Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson's Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body,Parkinsonism, Primary
D011087	Polycythemia Vera	A myeloproliferative disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by abnormal proliferation of all hematopoietic bone marrow elements and an absolute increase in red cell mass and total blood volume, associated frequently with splenomegaly, leukocytosis, and thrombocythemia. Hematopoiesis is also reactive in extramedullary sites (liver and spleen). In time myelofibrosis occurs.	Erythremia,Osler-Vaquez Disease,Polycythemia Rubra Vera,Polycythemia Ruba Vera,Primary Polycythemia,Disease, Osler-Vaquez,Erythremias,Osler Vaquez Disease,Polycythemia Ruba Veras,Polycythemia Rubra Veras,Polycythemia, Primary,Polycythemias, Primary,Primary Polycythemias,Ruba Vera, Polycythemia,Ruba Veras, Polycythemia,Vera, Polycythemia Ruba,Vera, Polycythemia Rubra,Veras, Polycythemia Ruba,Veras, Polycythemia Rubra
D004341	Drug Evaluation	Any process by which toxicity, metabolism, absorption, elimination, preferred route of administration, safe dosage range, etc., for a drug or group of drugs is determined through clinical assessment in humans or veterinary animals.	Evaluation Studies, Drug,Drug Evaluation Studies,Drug Evaluation Study,Drug Evaluations,Evaluation Study, Drug,Evaluation, Drug,Evaluations, Drug,Studies, Drug Evaluation,Study, Drug Evaluation
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006834	Hydrazines	Substituted derivatives of hydrazine (formula H2N-NH2).	Hydrazide
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly