title: Respiratory changes in Parkinson's disease may be unrelated to dopaminergic dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) during the on and off periods of levodopa and to compare with healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients were analyzed with Hoehn and Yahr scores (2-3) and 26 age and gender matched-controls. Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t-test for paired and independent samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MIP and MEP values in patients were significantly lower than the values obtained in controls both for off and on stages -excepted for MIP in women (p=0.28). For patients with PD, the studied parameters did not differ between stages on and off, with the exception of MEP in women (p=0.00).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with PD have respiratory pressure lower than controls, even in early stages of the disease, and dopamine replacement has little impact over these respiratory pressures. These findings suggest that respiratory changes in PD may be unrelated to dopaminergic dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Science Graduation Program, School of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Ulhôa
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Guedes
authors.forename: Juliana Melo
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Aline Andrioni
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Francisco E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Verônica Franco
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Parreira
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011312:Pressure; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014109:Total Lung Capacity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa; D004298:Dopamine