Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase deficiency in humans

Neurology. 1990 Feb;40(2):370-3. doi: 10.1212/wnl.40.2.370.

Abstract

We report a 42-year-old man with dopamine-beta-hydroxylase deficiency, an autonomic disorder characterized by lifelong severe orthostatic hypotension, ptosis, nasal stuffiness, hyperextensible joints, and retrograde ejaculation. There is isolated deficiency of norepinephrine in both central and peripheral neurons, which contain and release dopamine instead. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase deficiency should be suspected also in infants presenting with delayed eye opening, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, or hypotension. It can be diagnosed definitively by assay of plasma norepinephrine and dopamine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Blood Pressure
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / blood
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / deficiency*
  • Epinephrine / blood
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Norepinephrine / blood

Substances

  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine