Dopamine and basal ganglia disorders

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Abstract
The urinary excretion of dopamine is within the normal range in pregnancy and in patients with a neurological disease not affecting the basal ganglia. It is significantly elevated in the immediate post-partum period and in the newborn; in patients with disorders of the basal ganglia, including some patients with parkinsonism; and in patients with carcinoidosis. Excluding the carcinoid syndrome, the highest levels are found in patients with involuntary movements, such as chorea, tremor, or dystonia. The urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid is usually elevated when dopamine output is increased. The results suggest a rather close parallel between the metabolism of phenyl-alanine and tryptophan and raise the question of the possible role of excess dopamine in the pathogenesis of involuntary movements and dystonia.