RT Journal
A1 Feinberg M, Carroll BJ
T1 EFfects of dopamine agonists and antagonists in tourette's disease
JF Archives of General Psychiatry
JO Archives of General Psychiatry
YR 1979
FD August 1
VO 36
IS 9
SP 979
OP 985
DO 10.1001/archpsyc.1979.01780090065007
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1979.01780090065007
AB • The actions of haloperidol, dextroamphetamine sulfate, levamfetamine succinate, apomorphine, and piribedil were studied in two patients with Gilles 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.