What does catechol-O-methyltransferase do?
What does catechol-O-methyltransferase do?
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that is involved in the degradation of catecholamine neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), can affect executive functions involved in cognitive flexibility, impulse control, abstract thought, and the ability to follow instructions (1, 2, 3).
What is the difference between COMT and MAO?
MAO-B inhibitors are used as monotherapy as well as in combination with levodopa, whereas COMT inhibitors exert their effects only in conjungtion with levodopa. Both classes of compounds prolong the response duration of levodopa and optimise its clinical benefit. As a result, the ON-times are prolonged significantly.
What are the side effects of COMT inhibitors?
Common Side Effects of COMT Inhibitors
- May exaggerate some levodopa-related side effects especially dyskinesia.
- Confusion.
- Hallucinations.
- Discoloration of urine (reddish brown or rust-colored)
- Diarrhea.
Where is catechol-O-methyltransferase location?
The longer form, called membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT), is chiefly produced by nerve cells in the brain. Other tissues, including the liver, kidneys, and blood, produce a shorter form of the enzyme called soluble catechol-O-methyltransferase (S-COMT).
What are MAO inhibitors used for?
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are an extremely strong class of antidepressants that treat depression by preventing the breakdown of the brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This helps them do their work of regulating your mood.
Why is the catechol O methyltransferase COMT inhibitor added to carbidopa levodopa therapy?
Recently, a new class of enzyme inhibitors, called COMT inhibitors, has been developed. Like carbidopa, COMT inhibitors prevent the breakdown of levodopa. Their main effect is to prolong the duration of action of a dose of levodopa.
Which of the following drugs is a catechol O methyltransferase inhibitor?
COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitors are a class of drugs used along with carbidopa-levodopa therapy to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Carbidopa-levodopa therapy is the most effective drug available to treat the motor symptoms of PD.
Is monoamine oxidase an enzyme?
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme involved in the degradation process for various monoamines released by neurons and glia cells, including DA, serotonin and norepinephrine (NE).
What drugs are metabolized by COMT?
Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Most extraneuronal catecholamine metabolism is accomplished by COMT in the liver and kidney. In addition to catecholamines, COMT also metabolizes l-DOPA, DHPG, DOPAC, and catechol estrogens.
