A comparison of the progression of early Parkinson's disease in patients started on ropinirole or L-dopa: an 18F-dopa PET study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relative rates of progression of early Parkinson's disease (PD) in patients started on a dopamine agonist, ropinirole, or L-dopa.


METHODS
A double-blind study of 45 early PD patients [mean age 61 +/- 9.8 SD and mean symptom duration, 26 +/- 16 SD months] randomized 2 : 1 (ropinirole : L-dopa). Supplementary L-dopa was allowed if, during the trial, there was lack of a therapeutic effect. (18)F-dopa PET scans were performed at baseline (n = 45) and 2 years (n = 37).


RESULTS
At two years, the mean percentage reduction in putamen (18)F-dopa uptake (Ki(o)) was not significantly different between the two groups (13% ropinirole, n = 28 versus 18% L-dopa, n = 9).


CONCLUSIONS
We found no significant overall difference in underlying PD progression, after two years treatment, between patients groups. In summary, (18)F-dopa PET can be employed to objectively evaluate the effect of potential neuroprotective agents on dopaminergic function.
Rakshi
J S
JS
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Pavese
N
N
Uema
T
T
Ito
K
K
Morrish
P K
PK
Bailey
D L
DL
Brooks
D J
DJ
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D007211:Indoles; C046649:ropinirole; C043437:fluorodopa F 18; D007980:Levodopa; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine