title: The activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase in parkinsonian patients with "on-off fluctuations".
abstract: Motor fluctuations complicate therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD). The mechanisms responsible for motor fluctuations such as the on-off type, are poorly understood. Differences of activity of various enzymes, such as Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT, E.C.2.1.1.6.) may influence the appearance of motor fluctuations and the quantity of metabolic products of levodopa. Aim of this study was to compare erythrocyte COMT-activity in Parkinsonian patients without and with motor fluctuations from the on-off type. No significant differences in COMT-activity appeared in both groups. We conclude that activity differences in COMT-activity do not contribute to the appearance of motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Bochum, St. Josef Hospital, Federal Republic of Germany. Dirk.Woitalla@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Woitalla
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karwasz
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Przuntek
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kuhn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000201:enzymology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000201:enzymology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase