Myoclonic attacks induced by L-dopa and bromocryptin in Parkinson patients: a sleep EEG study.
Six patients with Parkinson's disease developed nocturnal myoclonic attacks after prolongued treatment with L-Dopa which were electroencephalographically recorded. These symptoms persisted after treatment with 2 bromo-alpha-ergocryptin (Bromocryptin), a dopamine receptor agonist, which was substituted for L-Dopa. Bromocryptin is known to have no pre- or postsynaptic effect on serotonin metabolism. It is proposed that these myoclonic phenomena are the expression of the hypersensitivity of denervated catecholamine receptors in the brainstem to the stimulation of L-Dopa and Bromocryptin. This thesis differs with previous suggestions that serotonin plays a major role in the genesis of myoclonic seizures in Parkinsonian patients treated with L-Dopa.
D000368:Aged; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012890:Sleep
D001971:Bromocriptine; D007980:Levodopa