A paradoxical acute effect of levodopa in de novo parkinsonian patients: worsening of some bradykinetic components.
Reports of alterations of reaction times (RTs) in Parkinson's disease are often discordant, particularly when the aim of the research is investigation of the relationship between levodopa (LD) administration and RTs. Slowing of simple RT in a group of de novo parkinsonian patients 30-90 min after administration of LD (Madopar 250) was recently reported. This temporary phenomenon was attributed to a sedative effect of LD. Our present study aimed to repeat these investigations using Multiple Delayed Reaction Verbochronometry (MDRV). We conclude that such a slowing is not a temporary phenomenon but may represent the increased time necessary for the subject to adequately perform the reaction tasks.
IRCCS Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Via per Revislate 13, Veruno (NO), Italy.
C
C
Pasetti
M M
MM
Lualdi
P
P
Pinelli
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018476:Hypokinesia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa