The phenylalanine loading test in the differential diagnosis of dystonia.

Bandmann, O; Goertz, M; Zschocke, J; Deuschl, G; Jost, W; Hefter, H; Müller, U; Zöfel, P et al. · Neurology · 2003

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

Early diagnosis of dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) and its delineation from other dystonic syndromes is of great relevance because DRD is an eminently treatable condition. The possible relevance of the phenylalanine loading test (Phe-L) in differentiating DRD from primary focal and generalized dystonia was investigated. A marked difference in the phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio between patients with DRD and patients with other types of dystonia was observed. This indicates that Phe-L may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of dystonias.

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