Study of deterioration in long-term treatment of parkinsonism with L-dopa plus decarboxylase inhibitor.

Abstract

35 parkinsonian patients have been treated over 3 years with L-Dopa combined with benserazide. After an impressive improvement during the first months of treatment a slow but significant deterioration of the patient's condition was observed. At the end of the observation period however their condition was still significantly better than before starting the treatment. A reduced mean L-Dopa dosage was ruled out as the cause of this deterioration. Withdrawal of the L-Dopa therapy for a few days in 13 patients provided strong evidence that it is due to the progression of the disease and to a partial loss of L-Dopa efficacy.

• Authors: H P Ludin, F Bass-Verrey
• Journal: Journal of neural transmission (J Neural Transm) Vol. 38 Issue 3-4 Pg. 249-58 ( 1976) Austria
• PMID: 956811 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hydrazines
• Levodopa
• Benserazide

Topics

• Benserazide (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrazines (administration & dosage)
• Levodopa (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parkinson Disease (drug therapy)
• Time Factors