Dataset Information

Effect of levodopa on cognitive function in Parkinson's disease with and without dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Levodopa (L-dopa) is the gold standard treatment for Parkinson's disease, but a lack of clear efficacy combined with a perceived liability to neuropsychiatric side effects has limited L-dopa use in patients with parkinsonism and dementia. Therefore, the effect of L-dopa on the cognitive profile of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) is unclear.

Aim

To ascertain the acute and long-term effects of L-dopa on aspects of attention and cognition in patients with DLB and PDD, and to compare these with the effects in Parkinson's disease.

Method

Baseline cognitive and motor function was assessed off L-dopa in patients with Parkinson's disease (n = 22), PDD (n = 27) and DLB (n = 11) using standard "bedside" measures and a computerised programme detecting reaction times and accuracy. All patients then underwent an acute L-dopa challenge with subsequent subjective and objective analysis of alertness, verbal recall, reaction times and accuracy. The same parameters were measured after 3 months on L-dopa to assess the prolonged effect.

Results

Acute L-dopa challenge considerably improved motor function and subjective alertness in all patients without compromising either reaction times or accuracy, but increased fluctuations were noted in both groups with dementia. Neuropsychiatric scores improved in patients with Parkinson's disease both with and without dementia on L-dopa at 3 months. Although patients with Parkinson's disease also had better mean global cognitive function at this time, mean verbal attention and memory deteriorated, and patients with PDD had slower reaction times in some tests. No patient had a marked deterioration over this time. Patients with DLB did not experience any adverse cognitive or neuropsychiatric effects after 3 months of L-dopa treatment.

Conclusion

The use of L-dopa in patients with parkinsonism with dementia does not adversely affect cognitive function.

SUBMITTER: Molloy SA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2077405 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Effect of levodopa on cognitive function in Parkinson's disease with and without dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Molloy S A SA Rowan E N EN O'Brien J T JT McKeith I G IG Wesnes K K Burn D J DJ

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry 20060904 12

<h4>Background</h4>Levodopa (L-dopa) is the gold standard treatment for Parkinson's disease, but a lack of clear efficacy combined with a perceived liability to neuropsychiatric side effects has limited L-dopa use in patients with parkinsonism and dementia. Therefore, the effect of L-dopa on the cognitive profile of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) is unclear.<h4>Aim</h4>To ascertain the acute and long-term effects of L-dopa on aspects of attention and ...[more]

PMID: 16952917

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Dataset Information

Effect of levodopa on cognitive function in Parkinson's disease with and without dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Background

Aim

Method

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Effect of levodopa on cognitive function in Parkinson's disease with and without dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

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