levodopa
/ˌliːvəˈdoʊpə/
noun
Origin
New Latin
levo- + dopa — L-isomer of dihydroxyphenylalanine
Overview
Meaning Now
- A pharmaceutical drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, acting as a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Literal older meaning
L-isomer of dihydroxyphenylalanine
Language path
Latin → New Latin → English
Earliest form
levodopa
Earliest period
1960s
Journey
Levodopa is the primary therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease. It was developed to cross the blood-brain barrier, as dopamine itself cannot, and is converted into dopamine by the enzyme DOPA decarboxylase.
Evolution
- Early 20th century
3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine
“Chemical name for the amino acid dopa”
- 1960s
levodopa
“Pharmaceutical name designating the L-isomer”
Derived from L- (laevo) and DOPA
Connections
Word parts
levo-
prefix
left (L-isomer configuration)
dopa
root
dihydroxyphenylalanine
Related across languages
French
lévodopa
levodopa
German
levodopa
Explore next
Related to levodopa
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.