Hyperdopaminergic crises in familial dysautonomia: a randomized trial of carbidopa.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether carbidopa (Lodosyn), an inhibitor of dopa-decarboxylase that blocks the synthesis of dopamine outside the brain, is an effective antiemetic in patients with familial dysautonomia (FD) and hyperdopaminergic nausea/retching/vomiting attacks.

Methods

We enrolled 12 patients with FD in an open-label titration and treatment study to assess the safety of carbidopa. We then conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to evaluate its antiemetic efficacy.

Results

Previous fundoplication surgery in each patient studied prevented vomiting, but all of the subjects experienced severe cyclical nausea and uncontrollable retching that was refractory to standard treatments. Carbidopa at an avera

SUBMITTER: Norcliffe-Kaufmann L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3662326 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature