title: Postural sway and effect of levodopa in early Parkinson's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize postural stability control and levodopa responsiveness in early Parkinson's disease (PD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Postural sway was studied during quiet stance in ten patients within six years of PD onset, both before (OFF) and after (ON) regular oral levodopa dosing. Postural sway was recorded using a force platform during 30 sec with eyes open, and six dependent variables were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mild baseline subclinical changes in postural sway were recorded in our patients. Clear benefit was observed in five out of six characteristics (mean sway, transversal sway, sagittal sway, sway intensity, and sway area) in the ON condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postural control mechanisms are affected early in PD and modulated by dopamine.
authors: Institut de Cognitique, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Beuter
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Hernández
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Rigal
authors: Julien
authors: J
authors: Modolo
authors: Pierre J
authors: PJ
authors: Blanchet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa; D004298:Dopamine