Controlled-release transdermal apomorphine treatment for motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.
This study evaluated the efficacy in Parkinson's disease (PD) of a new pharmacologic preparation of apomorphine included in microemulsions and administered by transdermal route, which provides a constant release of the drug for several hours (Apo-TD). Twenty-one PD patients with motor fluctuations were treated with L-dopa alone, with L-dopa plus oral dopamine-agonists, or with L-dopa plus Apo-TD. Apo-TD improved UPDRS-III and tapping test scores in "off" conditions, and reduced duration of "off" periods; no improvement in "on" conditions occurred. We conclude that Apo-TD shows its efficacy particularly by reducing "off" period duration and disability rather than improving motor performances in "on" conditions and therefore it seems a promising treatment for uncontrolled "off" phases in PD patients.
Priano
L
L
Division of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Casella Postale 1, I-28044 Intra (VB), Italy.
Albani
G
G
Calderoni
S
S
Baudo
S
S
Lopiano
L
L
Rizzone
M
M
Astolfi
V
V
Cavalli
R
R
Gasco
M R
MR
Fraschini
F
F
Bergamasco
B
B
Mauro
A
A
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D007980:Levodopa; D001058:Apomorphine