EFFECT OF DIETARY-PROTEIN ON STRIATAL DOPAMINE FORMATION FOLLOWING L-DOPA ADMINISTRATION - AN INVIVO STUDY

We varied the diet of rats and monitored extracellular levels of dopamine in the striatum. Following L-dopa administration, the increase in striatal dopamine levels was attenuated by 78% in rats that had consumed a high protein diet as opposed to a low protein diet. Similarly, the increase in striatal dopamine levels was attenuated by 61% in rats that had just eaten a protein-containig meal as compared to fasting animals. These findings demonstrate that dietary protein strongly affects brain dopamine formation from exogenous L-dopa.