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Effect of L‐Dopa on Polycythemia
Author(s) -
Herishanu Y.,
Rosenberg P.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1977.tb00302.x
Subject(s) - medicine , polycythemia vera , levodopa , parkinson's disease , disease , gastroenterology
A patient with Parkinson's disease, in whom polycythemia vera was known to be present for several years prior to the onset of parkinsonian symptoms, received treatment with a preparation consisting of L‐dopa plus a decarboxylase inhibitor (Madopar). Improvement in the parkinsonian symptoms was associated with marked improvement in the polycythemia. A therapeutic trial of the same L‐dopa preparation in 2 other patients with polycythemia had similar effects. The cases are presented and the possible central therapeutic effect of L‐dopa is discussed.