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An aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor blocks L-dopa-induced air-stepping in neonatal rats
C O Arnaiz1, L L Taylor, D J Stehouwer
1Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-2250, USA.
Abstract:
Rat pups suspended in air and administered L-DOPA engage in a locomotor behavior termed air-stepping. The role of L-DOPA itself was investigated by administering several doses of an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, NSD 1015, prior to 100 mg/kg L-DOPA to 5-day-old rats. NSD 1015 dose-dependently increased the latency to onset and decreased the duration of L-DOPA-induced air-stepping. Thus L-DOPA induces air-stepping only after its conversion to dopamine and/or noradrenaline.
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