Effects of L-DOPA Monotherapy on Psychomotor Speed and [11C]Raclopride Binding in High-Risk Older Adults With Depression.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:A high-risk subgroup of older patients with depression has slowed processing and gait speeds. This study examined whether carbidopa/levodopa (L-DOPA) monotherapy increased dopamine availability, increased processing/gait speed, and relieved depressive symptoms. METHODS:Adult outpatients with depression >59 years old underwent baseline [11C]raclopride positron emission tomography followed by open L-DOPA for 3 weeks (1 week each of 150 mg, 300 mg, and 450 mg). Generalized estimating equations tested the pre- and post-L-DOPA differences in processing and gait speed measures, depressive symptoms, and reported side effects. The decrease in binding potential between the pre- and posttreatment scans indexed enhanced synaptic dopamine availability induced by L-DOPA treatment. RESULTS:Thirty-six subjects participated (age, 75.3 ± 7.5 years; 44.4% male). Significant, dose-dependent increases in processing and gait speed were observed with L-DOPA (450-mg dose: processing speed factor score effect size = 0.41, p = .001; dual-task gait speed effect size = 0.43, p = .002). [11C]raclopride decrease in binding potential was significantly different from 0 in sensorimotor (t24 = -4.85, p < .001) and associative striatum (t24 = -2.52, p = .019) but not in limbic striatum (t24 = 0.265, p = .793). Depressive symptoms decreased significantly on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (effect size = -0.37, p = .002). Dropout rate was 8.3%, and nausea was the most frequently reported side effect. CONCLUSIONS:By enhancing availability of dopamine, L-DOPA improved processing and gait speed in older adults with depression and significantly decreased [11C]raclopride binding in selected striatal subregions.

SUBMITTER: Rutherford BR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6641997 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature