Neurobiology of DOPA as a Neurotransmitter integrates background information about DOPA as an inert amino acid precursor of dopamine with the evidence showing that DOPA fulfills several criteria of neurotransmitters.

Features:

• Explores the role of DOPA as an inert amino acid precursor of dopamine and as a neurotransmitter in its own right
• Examines the mechanisms of DOPA-induced delayed neuronal death
• Provides key knowledge for understanding the function of and metabolism of DOPA
• Contains 91 illustrations and 14 tables that elucidate concepts covered in the text

Contents

Biosynthesis, Metabolism, Active Transport, and Existence

• DOPA as a Neurotransmitter Candidate
• Active Uptake System of L-DOPA in CNS
• Morphology of DOPAergic Neurons in Mammals

Release

• Physiological Release of DOPA
• Mechanisms of Calcium-Associated Exocytosis of Striatal Dopamine and DOPA Release Studied by In Vivo Microdialysis
• Release of DOPA from Dog Peripheral Tissues

Pharmacology

• Presynaptic Responses to Levodopa, Suggesting the Existence of DOPA Recognition Sites
• The Neuroregulatory Properties of Levodopa: Evidence and Potential Role in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
• General Survey of Blood Pressure Regulation in Lower Brainstem and Responses to Levodopa and Glutamate
• Physiological and Pharmacological Responses to DOPA Involved in Baroreflex Neurotransmission in the Lower Brainstem of Anesthetized Rats
• Glutamatergic and Nitroxidergic Neurotransmission in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii
• Is DOPA a Reliable Neurotransmitter of Baroreflex Neurotransmission in the Brainstem
• Levodopa Causes Increased Activity in Rats: The Clinical Implications
• Behavioral Effects of Exogenously Applied and Endogenously Released DOPA
• Modulatory Effects of Levodopa on D2 Dopamine Receptors in Striatum Assessed Using In Vivo Microdialysis and PET
• Dopamine-Independent Inhibition of Hippocampal CA1 Neurons Produced by Nanomolar Levodopa with Facilitation of Noradrenaline and GABA Release in Rats

Neurotoxicology

• Levodopa-Induced Vesicular Release of Glutamate and Mechanisms of Levodopa-Induced Neurotoxicity in Primary Neuron Cultures in Rat Striata
• Neuroprotective and Neurotoxic Effects of L-DOPA in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons in Culture, M. Angeles Mena, M.J. Casarejos, E. Rodríguez-Martín
• DOPA-an Upstream Factor for Glutamate Release and Delayed Neuron Death by Transient Ischemia in Striatum and Hippocampal CA1 Region of Conscious Rats
• Effect of Neonatal Treatment with Monosodium Glutamate on Dopamine and DOPA Neurons in the Medial Basal Hypothalamus of Rats
• Molecular Mechanism of Memantine in Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurologic Insults

Index

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