Dystonia in Parkinson's disease: clinical and pharmacological features.

Abstract

We studied the features of dystonia in 9 patients with untreated idiopathic Parkinson's disease and in 56 patients on sustained treatment with L-dopa. Dystonia was seen as an initial symptom in patients with both early- and late-onset Parkinson's disease and included action dystonia of the limbs and cranial dystonia. Although the coexistence of parkinsonism and dystonia suggests a common pathophysiology, antiparkinsonian drugs did not consistently influence dystonic spasms. L-dopa-induced dystonia was seen as an off-period, biphasic, or peak-dose phenomenon. Each type showed a distinctive pattern of localization of dystonic spasms, possibly reflecting neurochemical aspects of basal ganglia somatotopy. Neuropharmacological studies performed in 12 patients suggest that off-period dystonia is genuinely induced by L-dopa and best relieved by antiparkinsonian agents.

• Authors: W H Poewe, A J Lees, G M Stern
• Journal: Annals of neurology (Ann Neurol) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 73-8 (Jan 1988) ISSN: 0364-5134 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3345068 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Levodopa

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Circadian Rhythm
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Dystonia (chemically induced, drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Levodopa (adverse effects)
• Middle Aged
• Parkinson Disease (complications, drug therapy)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (physiopathology)