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Defecatory function in Parkinson's disease: Response to apomorphine
Author(s) -
Edwards L. L.,
Quigley E. M. M.,
Harned R. K.,
Hofman Ruth,
Pfeiffer R. F.
Publication year - 1993
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.410330512
Subject(s) - apomorphine , parkinson's disease , medicine , dopaminergic , dopamine agonist , anorectal manometry , basal (medicine) , dopamine , levodopa , gastroenterology , disease , anesthesia , defecation , insulin
We evaluated the effects of the dopaminergic agent apomorphine on defecation and anorectal function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). A gastrointestinal symptom survey, extrapyramidal assessment, defecating proctogram, and anorectal manometric study were performed in 8 subjects with PD. Basal studies showing abnormalities were repeated following apomorphine administration. Prior defecographic abnormalities were normalized following apomorphine injection in 1 of 3 subjects and significant improvements in manometric parameters were observed in all 5 subjects who underwent repeat anorectal manometry. We conclude that apomorphine can correct anorectal dysfunction in PD, and that these abnormalities may be a consequence of dopamine deficiency secondary to the PD process. These findings may also have therapeutic implications.