title: Response to L-DOPA in multiple system atrophy.
abstract: A poor response to L-DOPA in addition to parkinsonian, cerebellar, and autonomic signs is commonly regarded as indicative of clinical multiple system atrophy (MSA). We compared the motor response to a single oral administration of 250 mg L-DOPA/25 mg carbidopa in eight MSA patients and eight Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with the "on-off" phenomenon, evaluating L-DOPA peripheral pharmacokinetics. Motor response was consistently good in all PD patients, but only four MSA patients had a (moderate) response. Pharmacokinetic parameters did not differ between the groups. The varying extent of putaminal damage could be responsible for the differing motor response to L-DOPA in MSA patients.
authors: Istituto Nazionale Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
authors: E A
authors: EA
authors: Parati
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Fetoni
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Geminiani
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Soliveri
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Giovannini
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Testa
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Genitrini
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Caraceni
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Girotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009849:Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa