title: Axial versus distal motor impairment in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: We measured axial (head rotation) and distal (wrist flexion and extension) movements in parkinsonian patients with varying stages of disability, before and after administration of L-dopa. Velocities for both movements were proportionately reduced in all stages of disease. L-Dopa administration provided a small but consistent increase in distal movement velocity for most patients, whereas in patients with advanced disease (stages III to V), axial movement velocity actually declined after administration of L-dopa. This decline may be partially responsible for the failure of L-dopa administration to reverse the loss of "righting reflexes" in these patients. Measurement of axial motor control may be a useful tool in evaluating therapeutics for Parkinson's disease patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Palo Alto VA Medical Center, CA 94304.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weinrich
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Angel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014953:Wrist / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa