Increased blink rate in advanced Parkinson's disease: a form of 'off'-period dystonia?
Blink rates were measured in 25 patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease in the "off' and "on" periods. In 17 patients, the "off"-period blink rate was low and increased after administration of levodopa. In the remaining eight patients, the "off"-period blink rate was high and returned to normal levels after levodopa. It is suggested that increased blink rate in the latter group represents a new form of "off"-period dystonia.
Kimber
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University Department of Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Thompson
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001767:Blinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004421:Dystonia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa