Behavioral effects of a new dopamine-β-hydroxylase inhibitor (fusaric acid) in man

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses behavioral effects of a new dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) inhibitor (fusaric acid) in man. DβH, an enzyme localized in noradrenergic neurons, converts dopamine to norepinephrine. Thus, the administration of a DBH inhibitor would be expected to decrease central norepinephrine selectively while producing either no change or an increase in central dopamine. Fusaric acid is well tolerated with a minimal effect on blood pressure and no alteration in indices of hepatic, hematologic, renal, or endocrine function. An increase in psychosis could be a nonspecific reaction to a drug-inducedorganic brain impairment rather than a direct result of DBH inhibition. Fusaric acid on the other hand, of the available DβH inhibitors, appears to be the most specific, particularly in that it does not inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase. Also of importance is the fact that fusaric acid has not been associated with any signs of an organic brain syndromein any of its clinical trials.