Levodopa is a large neutral amino acid that is converted by striatal aromatic amino acid decarboxylase into dopamine, and greatly improves motor function in Parkinson's disease. Many factors converge to complicate the pharmacokinetics of levodopa. The knowledge of levodopa metabolism has lead to several different treatment strategies to prolong dopamine action in the central nervous system.
Author Keywords
Absorption; Amino acid decarboxylase; Carbidopa; Entacapone; Half-life levodopa; Metabolism; Rasagiline; Selegiline; Tolcapone