Abstract
The effect of catecholamine depletion, achieved by per-oral administration of 5250 mg α-methyl- para-tyrosine (AMPT) given in the 29 h prior to [ 11C]raclopride positron emission tomography (PET) was studied on measures of dopamine (DA) release, mood, and attention. Neostriatal DA levels in vivo were estimated by comparing the neostriatal DA D 2 receptor binding potential (D 2RBP) before and after catecholamine depletion using PET and the radiotracer [ 11C]raclopride. Six healthy subjects completed the protocol. The AMPT treatment increased D 2RBP significantly by 13.3±5.9% (average±standard deviation) and decreased plasma levels of the DA metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) by 62±17%, and levels of the norepinephrine (NE) metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenethyleneglycol (MHPG) by 66±5%. Catecholamine depletion resulted in decreased happiness, euphoria, energy, talkativeness, vigor, and attentiveness, and in increased sleepiness, fatigue, sedation, and eye blink rate (EBR). These changes were not correlated with the D 2RBP increments. The results of this study are overall consistent with previous findings by our group using the same methodology in a different cohort of six healthy subjects.
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