Does timing and dosage of levodopa modify drug-induced dyskinesias and motor fluctuations? A retrospective analysis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1998

Authors

Garrett, MC (Author) FMUP; Rosas, MJ (Author) Other; Simoes, F (Author) Other; Vieira, S (Author) Other; Costa, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders

Vol. 4

Pages: 99-102

ISSN: 1353-8020

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge

Scopus - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-84S

DOI: 10.1016/s1353-8020(98)00024-8

Abstract (EN): The aim of this study was to verify the influence of levodopa treatment in the development of long-term complications of Parkinson's disease (PD). We retrospectively analysed several epidemiological characteristics of the disease including long-term motor complications with timing and dose of levodopa in 50 patients. No differences between timing and initial dosage of levodopa were observed in patients who developed dyskinesias or motor fluctuations and those who did not. The patients who developed dyskinesias were younger and the rate of decline was faster in patients who developed motor fluctuations. These results suggest that late complications of levodopa are independent of the timing and initial dosage.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4