title: Levodopa in parkinsonism.
abstract: In 20 patients suffering from parkinsonism, L-dopa produced maximal benefit after 3 years. A decline in the response then occurred, but considerable benefit was still derived after 5 years by patients who had improved initially. The effect of the drug on the symptomatology is reviewed. Whether the mortality rate in parkinsonism is improved by L-dopa is undecided, but recent publications and the present study indicate that the life expectancy is prolonged.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001545:Benserazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa; D001545:Benserazide