title: Levodopa/carbidopa to improve motor function subsequent to brain tumor excision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of levodopa/carbidopa as an augmenting agent to improve motor recovery after brain tumor excision.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case report is structured as an n-of-1 style trial. The study patient was an outpatient with residual hemiparesis secondary to removal of benign oligoastrocytoma seen in an outpatient physiatry practice at an academic center. The study intervention was levodopa/carbidopa vs. placebo, combined with a structured 6-wk physiotherapy regimen. Outcomes were measured using the motor subscale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment to assess for motor recovery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean motor Fugl-Meyer Assessment score for the levodopa/carbidopa weeks was 6.90 points greater than the mean score for placebo. The results were significant at P < 0.05.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levodopa/carbidopa may have a beneficial effect on improving motor recovery after sustaining a brain injury as a result of tumor excision.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training Program, Department of Postgraduate Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: Jesse D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ennis
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Enoch
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Vinjamuri
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chari
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Shanker
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nesathurai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004338:Drug Combinations; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa