title: Ascorbate- and zinc-responsive parkinsonism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of Parkinsonism rapidly responsive to intravenous replacement of vitamin C and zinc.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 66-year-old man with Parkinsonism, pleural effusion, and bipolar disorder was found to have low serum vitamin C and zinc levels. Intravenous replacement of these micronutrients led to resolution of the movement disorder in less than 24 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parkinsonism has been associated with vitamin C deficiency, and recent cases of scurvy complicated by Parkinsonism have responded well to intravenous replacement of vitamin C. In this case, deficiency of zinc may have contributed to the development of a movement disorder. The likely pathophysiology of, and treatment recommendations for, Parkinsonism linked to deficiencies of vitamin C and zinc are reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whereas vitamin C has a strong link with Parkinsonism, the potential role of zinc has only been suspected. This case report highlights some of the potential links between zinc deficiency and Parkinsonism.
authors: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: Martha J
authors: MJ
authors: Quiroga
authors: Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Administration Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Carroll
authors: Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Administration Center, San Antonio, TX, USA thomas.brown5@va.gov.
authors: Thomas M
authors: TM
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: Parkinson disease; central nervous system; nutrition; psychiatry; vitamins