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Long‐term duodenal infusion of levodopa for motor fluctuations in parkinsonism
Author(s) -
Sage J. I.,
Trooskin S.,
Sonsalla P. K.,
Heikkila R.,
Duvoisin R. C.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410240116
Subject(s) - levodopa , parkinsonism , medicine , anesthesia , duodenal ulcer , continuous infusion , surgery , psychology , parkinson's disease , disease
We report the long‐term clinical responses of 2 parkinsonian patients with severe “on‐off” phenomena who have been receiving continuous duodenal levodopa (LD) infusions. The rate of LD infusion needed to keep the patients just “on” Decemberlined gradually during the initial 60 days of infusion and then remained constant. Total LD intake Decemberlined rapidly during the first several days and gradually for another 60 days, after which it remained stable. Motor fluctuations virtually disappeared in both patients during the time of the day when the pump was in use. This was accompanied by a Decemberline in the plasma LD concentration needed to just maintain the “on” stage in one patient.