Motor benefit from levodopa in spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
We report on a 16-year-old girl with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy associated with premature birth and typical periventricular leukomalacia, who had a dramatic improvement in motor function after treatment with carbidopa/levodopa. Kinematic and electromyographic analyses of reaching movements demonstrate that levodopa decreased muscle co-contraction, decreased unwanted movements, and improved her ability to maintain a steady arm posture. These findings suggest that levodopa be considered as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
Brunstrom
J E
JE
Department of Neurology, Pediatric Neurology Cerebral Palsy Center, St Louis Children's Hospital, MO 63110, USA.
Bastian
A J
AJ
Wong
M
M
Mink
J W
JW
D000293:Adolescent; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa