Nighttime levodopa infusions to treat motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson's disease: preliminary observations.
We report the clinical response of a parkinsonian patient with severe motor fluctuations who was begun on continuous, nighttime-only levodopa infusions accompanied by oral carbidopa/levodopa use during the day. Sleep disturbances improved immediately. There was a gradual reduction in "off" time and severity of dyskinesias during the waking day. Nighttime-only levodopa infusions have a carryover benefit to the waking hours and may be suitable for long-term therapy to reduce daily motor fluctuations in some patients with Parkinson's disease.
Sage
J I
JI
Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick 08903.
Mark
M H
MH
D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007980:Levodopa