L-Dopa infusion does not improve explicit sequence learning in Parkinson's disease.
We have recently introduced a set of sequence learning tasks that emphasize explicit learning and target anticipation and involve the activation of frontal lobes. This type of learning is impaired even in the early stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies on the effects of L-Dopa on cognitive symptoms of PD have yielded controversial results. To verify whether L-Dopa acutely improves explicit sequence learning, we tested six normal subjects and seven PD patients both off-drug and during L-Dopa infusion with two tasks: SEQ, a motor task with multiple demands, where a sequence had to be learned while reaching for a targets; VSEQ, a visual task where a sequence had to be learned by attending to a visual display without moving. Motor performance was assessed with simple motor tasks. L-Dopa improved motor scores and movement speed, but had no beneficial effect on either type of sequence learning.
Ghilardi
M Felice
MF
Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, CUNY Medical School at City College, City University of New York, 138th Street & Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA. liceg@sci.ccny.cuny.edu
Feigin
Andrew S
AS
Battaglia
Fortunato
F
Silvestri
Giulia
G
Mattis
Paul
P
Eidelberg
David
D
Di Rocco
Alessandro
A
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012691:Serial Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa