A clinical trial of a-Methyl-para-tyrosine in mentally ill patients

A-methyl-para-tyrosine, an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase, did not have any antipsychotic properties in these patients but it did have marked sedative effect and no parkinsonian symptoms or other side effects were seen.

Abstract

Seventeen mentually ill patients, most of them with schizophrenia, and one normal subject were treated with a-methyl-para-tyrosine, an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase. Gradually increasing doses up to 2,000 mg daily were given for approximately 41 days. This agent did not have any antipsychotic properties in these patients but it did have marked sedative effect. No parkinsonian symptoms or other side effects were seen. The significance of an agent such as a-methyl-para-tyrosine in the treatment of affective disorders (manic states) is discussed.