title: Levodopa therapy in incomplete spinal cord injury.
abstract: We studied the influence of levodopa (L-Dopa) on training effects in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI). A low-dose of L-Dopa per day is known to enhance the effects of physical training after stroke. This is tested here in subjects suffering a SCI. Twelve subacute, incomplete SCI (iSCI) subjects (ASIA C and D) were randomized in a trial with a double-blind, crossover design to receive 6 weeks of L-Dopa (200 mg), followed by 6 weeks of placebo, or vice versa. Outcome measures were ASIA Motor-Score (AMS) reflecting motor recovery; walking ability, assessed by the Walking Index of Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI); and Activities of Daily Living (ADL), as monitored by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM). Both placebo and L-Dopa, in combination with physiotherapy, produced a significant motor recovery after SCI. The combination of L-Dopa and physiotherapy had no greater effect on the outcome than placebo and physiotherapy. The possible reasons for the different effect of L-Dopa in stroke and iSCI subjects are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Maric
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zörner
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dietz
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa