Experience with continuous enteral levodopa infusions in the treatment of 9 patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.
Nine patients with advanced Parkinson's disease were started on continuous enteral levodopa infusions during the past 3 years. Six have remained on the infusion system for 1 to 28 months. All patients experienced immediate amelioration of motor fluctuations, and 5 patients continue to obtain relief. One patient found that his ability to achieve the "on" state without unacceptable dyskinesia waned. Experience thus far indicates that continuous long-term levodopa infusions are a practical but complex form of therapy for patients failing more conventional treatment.
Sage
J I
JI
Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, 08903.
Trooskin
S
S
Sonsalla
P K
PK
Heikkila
R E
RE
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007980:Levodopa