Parkinson's disease and dementia: norepinephrine and dopamine in locus ceruleus

Norepinephrine, 3-methoxy 4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol and homovanillic acid levels were similar in the locus ceruleus of 13 controls and 8 parkinsonian patients with no intellectual deterioration, but were decreased in 7 demented patients. The concentration of dopamine was similarly diminished in non-demented and demented parkinsonians, and binding of 3H-desmethylimipramine and 3H-rauwolscine was not abnormal in parkinsonians. These data indicate that norepinephrine metabolism in the locus ceruleus is subnormal only in demented parkinsonians.