FURTHER STUDIES ON THE INHIBITION OF MONOAMINE SYNTHESIS BY MONOFLUOROMETHYLDOPA

Abstract

1 alpha-Monofluoromethyldopa (MFMD, RMI 71963), a potent and selective enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase produces a substantial and long-lasting decrease in the catecholamine content of mouse brain, heart and kidney. 2 Single doses of MFMD reduce the 5-hydroxytryptamine concentration of mouse brain without altering the tryptophan concentration. 3 In animals treated with MFMD, peripheral but not brain noradrenaline is restored within 1 h to control levels by an intraperitoneal injection of dopamine.