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What is the mechanism of action of carbidopa in the combination agent carbidopa-levodopa that is used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

A. Postsynaptic dopamine receptor agonism
B. Monoamine oxidase type B inhibition
C. DOPA decarboxylase inhibition
D. Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibition
E. Acetylcholine receptor antagonism

User Arulkumar
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Final answer:

Carbidopa inhibits the enzyme DOPA decarboxylase, increasing the availability of L-DOPA for conversion into dopamine in the brain and easing Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mechanism of action of carbidopa in the combination agent carbidopa-levodopa, which is used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, is C. DOPA decarboxylase inhibition. Carbidopa works by inhibiting the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, also known as DOPA decarboxylase, which is responsible for converting L-DOPA into dopamine outside of the brain. By inhibiting this enzyme, more L-DOPA is available to enter the brain where it can then be converted into dopamine, which is necessary for proper motor function and is deficient in Parkinson's patients.

User Christoph Rackwitz
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