Dopa

Dopa
A precursor (forerunner) of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter (messenger) in the brain. Dopa is used in the treatment of Parkinson disease. Parkinson disease is believed to be related to low levels of dopamine in certain parts of the brain. When dopa is taken by mouth, it crosses through the blood-brain barrier. Once it has crossed from the bloodstream into the brain, it is converted to dopamine. The resulting increase in dopamine concentrations in the brain is thought to improve nerve conduction and to assist in lessening the movement disorders in Parkinson disease. In 1970 the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved dopa in the form of L-Dopa, or levodopa, for use in the US. The drug revolutionized the treatment of Parkinson disease.
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dihydroxyphenylalanine

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do·pa 'dō-pə, -(.)pä n an amino acid C9H11NO4 that in the levorotatory form is found in the broad bean and is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease called also dihydroxyphenylalanine

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n.
dihydroxyphenylalanine: a physiologically important compound that forms an intermediate stage in the synthesis of catecholamines (dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline) from the essential amino acid tyrosine. It also plays a role itself in the functioning of certain parts of the brain. The laevorotatory form, levodopa, is administered for the treatment of parkinsonism, in which there is a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.

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do·pa (doґpə) 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, an amino acid produced by oxidation of tyrosine by monophenol monooxygenase; it is the precursor of dopamine and an intermediate product in the biosynthesis of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and melanin. The naturally occurring form is L-dopa (see levodopa).

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • dopa — dopa …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • dopa — [ dɔpa ] n. f. • 1949; abrév. de Dihydroxyphénylalanine ♦ Biochim. Acide aminé converti dans le sang en dopamine et dont l isomère lévogyre est utilisé dans le traitement du parkinson. ● dopa nom féminin (abréviation de DihydrOxyPhénylAlanine)… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Dopa — or DOPA can refer to: L DOPA (levodopa), used in the treatment of Parkinson s disease D DOPA, a chemical compound related to L DOPA Dopa, an angel in Enochian Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006 This disambiguation page lists articles… …   Wikipedia

  • Dopa — [Kurzw. für 3 (3,4 Dihydroxyphenyl)alanin], das; : natürliche Aminosäure, die in der Adrenalin Biogenese u. im Prozess der Hautbräunung (Pigmentierung) involviert ist. Optisch aktives L( ) D. (Freiname: Levodopa) wird als Antiparkinsonmittel… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • dopa — f. bioquím. Siglas de la dihidroxifenilalanina. Molécula derivada de la tirosina que actúa como precursor de la dopamina en el la cadena metabólica de síntesis de la noradrenalina y adrenalina. La DOPA tiene aplicación médica en el tratamiento de …   Diccionario médico

  • dopa — DOPÁ, dopez, vb. I. tranz. şi refl. A( şi) administra (în mod nepermis) substanţe chimice stimulatoare spre a obţine temporar mărirea randamentului fiziologic dincolo de limitele normale, într o întrecere sportivă. – Din fr. doper. Trimis de… …   Dicționar Român

  • DOPA — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda La dihidroxifenilalanina es un sustrato prácticamente inicial de la ruta metabólica de las catecolaminas: dopamina, noradrenalina y adrenalina. Su situación es básica en la actividad metabólica de la neurona, ya que… …   Wikipedia Español

  • DOPA — dopa. (Acrón. del ingl. dihidroxiPhenyl alanine). f. Bioquím. Aminoácido derivado de la tirosina y precursor de la melanina, utilizado en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson. * * * ● (Dihidroxifenilalanina) Sustrato prácticamente inicial …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • DOPA — statusas T sritis chemija formulė (HO)₂C₆H₃CH₂CH(NH₂)COOH atitikmenys: angl. DOPA rus. ДОПА; ДОФА ryšiai: sinonimas – 2 amino 3 (3,4 dihidroksifenil)propano rūgštis …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • dopa — [dō′pə] n. [d(ihydr)o(xy)p(henyl)a(lanine)] an amino acid, C9H11NO4, that is converted by an enzyme in the bloodstream into dopamine: its levorotatory isomer ( L dopa) is used as a drug in treating Parkinson s disease …   English World dictionary

  • döpa — • döpa, vattenösa, kristna …   Svensk synonymlexikon

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