L-DOPA-d3 is intended for use as an internal standard for the quantification of L-DOPA by GC- or LC-MS. L-DOPA is a metabolic precursor of dopamine that is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.1 It is produced from L-tyrosine by tyrosine hydroxylase and metabolized by catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT). In the brain L-DOPA is converted to dopamine. Formulations containing L-DOPA have been used to increase dopamine concentrations in the brain as a treatment for Parkinson's disease and stroke recovery.
1.Berends, H.I., Nijlant, J.M.M., Movig, K.L.L., et al.The clinical use of drugs influencing neurotransmitters in the brain to promote motor recovery after stroke; a Cochrane systematic reviewEur. J. Phys. Rehabil. Med.45(4)621-630(2009)