Effects of dopamine agonists and antagonists in Tourette's disease

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1979 Aug;36(9):979-85. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1979.01780090065007.

Abstract

The actions of haloperidol, dextroamphetamine sulfate, levamfetamine succinate, apomorphine, and piribedil were studied in two patients with Giles de la Tourette's disease in an attempt to clarify the catecholamine mechanisms involved in this condition. Both dextroamphetamine and levamfetamine increased the severity of the symptoms; dextroamphetamine was more potent. Haloperidol controlled the symptoms and also antagonized the effect of dextroamphetamine. Apomorphine injections reduced the severity of symptoms, even in the presence of dextroamphetamine. We conclude that dopamine rather than norepinephrine is the principal catecholamine responsible for the symptoms. The effect of apomorphine may be understood through its action on postulated presynaptic inhibitory dopamine receptors, or other presynaptic mechanisms of action.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amphetamine / therapeutic use
  • Apomorphine / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dextroamphetamine / therapeutic use
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hyperkinesis / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Piribedil / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Dopamine / drug effects*
  • Tourette Syndrome / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Amphetamine
  • Piribedil
  • Haloperidol
  • Apomorphine
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Dopamine