L-dopa

[ el-doh-puh ]

noun

1. Pharmacology. levodopa.

L-dopa

/ ɛlˈdəʊpə /

noun

1. a substance occurring naturally in the body and used to treat Parkinson's disease. Formula: C 9 H 11 NO 4 Also calledlevodopa

L-dopa

/ ĕl-dō′pə /

1. An amino acid that is the metabolic precursor of dopamine, is converted in the brain to dopamine, and is used in synthetic form to treat Parkinson's disease. Chemical formula: C 9 H 11 NO 4 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of L-dopa¹

C20: from L-d ( ihydr ) o ( xy ) p ( henyl ) a ( lanine )