Response to L-DOPA in multiple system atrophy.
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.
Parati
E A
EA
Istituto Nazionale Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
Fetoni
V
V
Geminiani
G C
GC
Soliveri
P
P
Giovannini
P
P
Testa
D
D
Genitrini
S
S
Caraceni
T
T
Girotti
F
F
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
D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa