L-DOPA - definition

a precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (collectively known as the catecholamines). L-DOPA is produced as a drug to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopamine neurons in the basal ganglia; when L-DOPA is administered to Parkinson's disease patients, the brain can use it to synthesize more dopamine to replenish depleted levels of the neurotransmitter.

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2-Minute Neuroscience: Parkinson’s Disease