The Effects of L-Tyrosine on 24 Hour Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Parkinson's Disease

We will be monitoring 24 hour ambulatory BP and HR in subjects with PD on 3 separate visits.
The first visit will be without an intervention to establish a baseline of 24 hour BP
fluctuations. One week later the subject will be given either L-tyrosine (2,000 mg) with B6
(10 mg) or a sugar pill. We will monitor 24 hour BP and HR after supplementation. One week
later the subject will repeat the same procedures with either supplement or placebo.

This is a total of 3 visits with 24 hour ambulatory BP and HR monitoring.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All subjects must have a diagnosis of PD by a licensed neurologist according to the
UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria
(UKPDBB).(Goetz, 2010) The UKPDBB is a 3 step diagnostic tool which defines inclusion
and exclusion criteria for diagnosing PD

2. between 35 and 79 years of age

3. mentally able to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy

2. any person who is currently taking amino acid supplements.

3. Any history of myocardial infarction, stent, or CABG

4. Phenylketonurics

5. Untreated hypertension