L-dopa causes an acute, partial and reversible reversal of denervation-induced supersensitivity of striatal dopaminergic receptors.

Denervation-induced supersensitivity of the striatal dopamine receptors can be quantified by the turning behaviour induced by apomorphine. With this experimental model we found that high-dose L-dopa/carbidopa administration reduced this supersensitivity. This effect was seen on the 1st day and did not alter over 5 or 10 days of treatment, but disappeared when medication was discontinued. The degree of reduction was the same, independent of the dose and period of administration. This effect could provide a useful model for studying the phenomenon of the irreversibility of the supersensitivity of the striatal dopamine receptors.