title: Controlled-release transdermal apomorphine treatment for motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Casella Postale 1, I-28044 Intra (VB), Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Priano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Calderoni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baudo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lopiano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzone
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Astolfi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gasco
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fraschini
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bergamasco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mauro
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D007980:Levodopa; D001058:Apomorphine