Dopamine is not administered directly to the patient during the treatment of Parkinson's disease because:
A) dopamine is not a therapeutic consideration; only acetylcholine replacement therapy is.
B) dopamine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.
C) the half-life of dopamine is too short to enable pharmacologic effects in the brain.
D) the type of dopamine necessary in the brain is different from the type administered intravenously.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dopamine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, so it cannot reach the brain if administered directly to the patient. Instead, medications that can be converted into dopamine in the brain or that mimic the effects of dopamine are used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Dopamine Is Not Administered Directly to the Patient During the Treatment