Levodopa-induced sleepiness in the Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy.
Recent observations suggest that levodopa can induce irresistible sleep onset in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Therefore, we assessed sleepiness during a levodopa challenge in 17 MSA compared with 23 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS). SSS scores during the levodopa challenge compared with baseline were significantly increased in the MSA compared with the PD group. These findings suggest greater potential of levodopa to induce sleepiness in MSA compared with PD, which may be related to differences in basal ganglia and brainstem pathology between the two disorders.
Seppi
Klaus
K
Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Högl
Birgit
B
Diem
Anja
A
Peralta
Cecilia
C
Wenning
Gregor K
GK
Poewe
Werner
W
D000368:Aged; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa