title: 24 h Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel may reduce falls and "unresponsive" freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report a prospective, open label study of 24 h levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) as treatment for levodopa "unresponsive" freezing of gait (FOG) associated with Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  5 patients with disabling FOG, documented as being levodopa "unresponsive", were commenced on continuous 24 h infusion LCIG therapy with the night-time rate at 50-80% of the daytime infusion rate. Patients underwent baseline, 3 and 6 month gait assessments, documentation of their falls frequency and completed FOG questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median 360° turn time improved by 54%, fall frequency score reduced from 3 to 0 at 6 months, FOG questionnaire score improved by 14% and Timed Up- and -Go 8 m walk was unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  24 h LCIG therapy may reduce levodopa "unresponsive" FOG and associated falls. A larger prospective study is needed for confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Florence C F
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mahant
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Samuel D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Ainhi D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drury
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.affiliation: Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: vscfung@ozemail.com.au.
authors.forename: Victor S C
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Fung
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005782:Gels; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa
keywords: Carbidopa–levodopa intestinal gel; Freezing of gait; Parkinson's disease