Human locomotion: levodopa keeps you straight.
Locomotion depends on an intact dopamine system. This system seems to be functionally asymmetric, as evidenced by an asymmetric turning preference. Using a double-blind procedure, the effect of levodopa on the number of veers when walking blindfolded along a straight line (20 m) in the middle of a corridor was tested in 40 healthy dextral men. One group received 200 mg levodopa, while the other group received placebo. We found that (1). subjects veered less after levodopa than after placebo, and (2). improved straight-walking tendency was most prominent for the levodopa group which veered less often to the right side than the placebo group. These findings imply that spatial orientation skills improved under levodopa. We conjecture that a task-dependent dopamine demand during our task was satisfied by levodopa supplementation, and over-proportionately so by the right hemisphere.
Mohr
Christine
C
Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland. christine.mohr@hcuge.ch
Landis
Theodor
T
Bracha
H Stefan
HS
Fathi
Marc
M
Brugger
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D016138:Walking
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa