3-Methoxytyramine

3-Methoxytyramine (3-MT) is a metabolite of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is created by the action of the enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) on dopamine. COMT is an enzyme that transfers a methyl group from S-adenosyl methionine to dopamine, creating 3-MT. This process is one of the major degradative pathways of dopamine in the brain.

Function

3-MT has been found to act as a neuromodulator in the central nervous system. It is thought to play a role in the regulation of dopamine function, as it has been found to inhibit dopamine release and to affect the firing rate of dopamine neurons. However, the exact role of 3-MT in the brain is still not fully understood.

Clinical significance

Abnormal levels of 3-MT have been found in various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. In Parkinson's disease, levels of 3-MT are often elevated, which may be a result of the loss of dopamine neurons in the brain. In schizophrenia and mood disorders, levels of 3-MT may be altered due to changes in dopamine function.

See also

• Dopamine
• Catechol-O-methyl transferase
• Neurotransmitter
• Metabolite

References

3-Methoxytyramine Resources
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