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Total sleep deprivation and Parkinson disease Bertolucci PH, Andrade LA, Lima JG, Carlini EA Arq Neuropsiquiatr 45(3) 224-230 (1987) Twelve Parkinson disease (PD) patients were submitted to a single night of total sleep deprivation (SD). Disease duration had a median of 5.1 years and all were using either anticholinergic or L-Dopa or the combination of both drugs. After SD there was an improvement of rigidity, bradykinesia, gait and posture disturbances and functional disability that remained significant for 2 weeks. No effect was observed on tremor. Concerning depressive symptoms, a significant difference was noted, that remained for one week. These results suggest that SD may be an useful procedure to improve PD symptomatology. It is discussed a possible change of dopaminergic receptors, induced by SD, to explain the improvement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn