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An open clinical trial of L-dopa and carbidopa in adults with minimal brain dysfunction

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.137.1.73

MBD has long been considered a childhood disorders. Recent research suggests that in some it persists into adult life and that at least one form is a consequence of reduced activity of dopaminergic systems in the brain. To test this hypothesis, three adults with "presumptive" MBD were given L-dopa plus carbidopa. Although overall this combination was less effective than stimulant medication, all the patients showed an initial response, and in one patient L-dopa seemed to potentiate the effect of methylphenidate. The authors point out that various dopamine agonists have different effects and that the possible potentiation effect is consistent with a dopaminergic hypothesis.

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