title: Complex dystonia of Parkinson's disease: clinical features and relation to plasma levodopa profile.
abstract: We studied the clinical characteristics and plasma levodopa (LD) profile of complex, LD-associated dystonia in 33 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Generalized, abdominal, respiratory, and myoclonic, but not facial or foot, dystonia could be related to specific phases of the plasma LD cycle. Simultaneous clinical observation and determinations of plasma LD concentrations were often necessary to find the most efficacious dosing schedule for these patients. Maintenance of steady plasma LD concentrations within a dystonia-free window of benefit was the best treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick 08903-0019.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: McHale
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Sage
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sonsalla
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vitagliano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004421:Dystonia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa