Motor benefit from levodopa in spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Abstract

We report on a 16-year-old girl with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy associated with premature birth and typical periventricular leukomalacia, who had a dramatic improvement in motor function after treatment with carbidopa/levodopa. Kinematic and electromyographic analyses of reaching movements demonstrate that levodopa decreased muscle co-contraction, decreased unwanted movements, and improved her ability to maintain a steady arm posture. These findings suggest that levodopa be considered as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

• Authors: J E Brunstrom, A J Bastian, M Wong, J W Mink
• Journal: Annals of neurology (Ann Neurol) Vol. 47 Issue 5 Pg. 662-5 (May 2000) ISSN: 0364-5134 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10805341 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antiparkinson Agents
• Levodopa

Topics

• Adolescent
• Antiparkinson Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cerebral Palsy (complications)
• Electromyography (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Levodopa (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Motor Skills (drug effects)
• Quadriplegia (diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
• Time Factors