Description
In a series of patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome a pharmacologic attempt was made to alter the balance of biogenic amines in the central nervous system by increasing the level of serotin. Patients were treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor carbidopa and with imipramine. Most patients had a striking alteration in self-mutilative behavior. However, within 1–3 months each became tolerant and this pharmacologic effect could not be produced again even a year later. These observations suggest that the characteristic behavior of the patient with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is related to neurotransmitter balance, and that there may be ways to modify it.