Levodopa improves spatial contrast sensitivity in Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of levodopa on the visual contrast sensitivity of patients with Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
Contrast sensitivity of patients was measured before and after levodopa administration. Patient contrast sensitivity was compared with that of normal controls by repeated-measures analyses of variance.


METHODS
Parkinson's disease research center associated with private neurology practice.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (eight men, seven women; mean age, 71.8 years) and 22 normal controls (10 men, 12 women; mean age, 68.0 years) volunteered for the study.


METHODS
Levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet).


METHODS
Change in contrast sensitivity of parkinsonian patients.


RESULTS
Following levodopa treatment, the contrast sensitivity of parkinsonian patients improved significantly at the three lowest spatial frequencies tested (0.4, 1, and 2 cycles per degree).


CONCLUSIONS
Levodopa improves low-frequency contrast sensitivity in parkinsonian patients. Initially deficient contrast sensitivity in such patients may be restored to near normal levels by levodopa therapy.
Hutton
J T
JT
Parkinson's Disease Research Center, St Mary of the Plains Hospital, Lubbock, TX 79410.
Morris
J L
JL
Elias
J W
JW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
D007980:Levodopa