Hepatic encephalopathy dopamine

L-dopa, a precursor of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, was introduced into HE therapy by J.D. Parkes et al. in 1970. The results were good. As yet, there is still no accepted opinion on the use of this substance. Piracetam, as a nootropic substance, led to a clear improvement in typical electrical brain activities in animals displaying hepatic damage and symptoms of encephalopathy. Similarly, a double-blind randomized cross-over study with the nootropic agent centropheno-xine partly showed positive effects in psychometric testing. Bromocriptine, an agonist of the dopamine receptor, was also used in 1980 for chronic hepatic encephalopathy. (146,163) Application of L-carnitine (6 g/day orally, divided into two doses, for 4 weeks) leads to a marked reduction of hyperammonaemia and a clear improvement in clinical symptoms of HE in cirrhotic patients. (119) (s. p.49)... 

Mousseau DD, Pemey P, Pomier Layrargues G, Butterworth RE Selective loss of pallidal dopamine D2 receptor density in hepatic encephalopathy. Neurosci. Lett., 162, 192-196, 1993... 

Borkowska, H.D., Oja, S.S., Oja, O.S., Saransaari, P., HUgier, W., and Albrecht, J. 1999. V-methyl-d-aspartate-evoked changes in the striatal extracellulm levels of dopamine and its metabolites in vivo in rats with acute hepatic encephalopathy. NeuroscL Lett. 268 151—154. 

---