Plasma debrisoquin levels in the assessment of reduction of plasma homovanillic acid. The debrisoquin method

Mark A. Riddle, Peter I. Jatlow, George M. Anderson, Soo Churl Cho, Maureen T. Hardin, Donald J. Cohen, James F. Leckman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Plasma concentrations of unconjugated homovanillic acid (pHVA) reflect both central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral dopamine metabolism. Debrisoquin sulfate (DBQ) blocks peripheral, but not CNS, production of HVA from dopamine. Administration of DBQ has been used to decrease the proportion of peripherally produced HVA in pHVA measurements, making such measurements more reflective of CNS turnover of dopamine. We studied the relationships between DBQ dose, plasma DBQ (pDBQ) levels, and changes in pHVA in a group of 21 subjects (9 normal controls and 12 with Tourette's syndrome). DBQ dose was moderately correlated with pDBQ levels (r = 0.63, p = 0.002). Subjects (n = 8) with mean pDBQ levels above 60 ng/ml had a 48% to 66% decrease in mean pHVA levels; this may reflect nearly complete inhibition of peripheral HVA production. Subjects (n = 13) with mean pDBQ levels below 55 ng/ml had decreases in pHVA levels from 10% to 58%. No debrisoquin was detected in cerebrospinal fluid samples. These data suggest that pDBQ levels above 60 ng/ml are sufficient to assure substantial inhibition of peripheral HVA production and that monitoring pDBQ levels may be useful when employing this method for studying CNS metabolism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)123-129
Number of pages7
JournalNeuropsychopharmacology
Volume2
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1989
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Debrisoquin
  • Homovanillic acid
  • Tourette's syndrome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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