The abstract of the lastest study by Robert A. Maricle et al, which is
found in the September 1995 edition of Neurology, verified the hypothesis
that mood/anxiety correspond with motor improvements after dosing with
levodopa. The dosing that they used, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg/hr corresponded to
one taking either 1/2 or a full 25/100 carbidopa/levodopa standard release
tablet. By using the infusion method, variables found in real life such as
diet, regular bowel movement patterns and bowel impairments were eliminated.
Practical information gained from this study could include that if moods
are 'running away' after a dose, breaking the tablet and going to a 2 hour
dosing period may provide relief within the same mg/day regimen. Anxiety and
'panic attacks' related to being in the "off" condition may be better
controlled with a more frequent dosing period also.
This is the abstract:
Dose-response relationship of levodopa with mood and anxiety in
fluctuating Parkinson's disease: A double-blind, placebo-controlled
study
Article abstract--We investigated the effect of levodopa on mood and
anxiety in eight Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations. Each
patient received 0.0-, 0.5-, and 1.0-mg/kg/hr levodopa infusions in randomly
assigned order under double-blind conditions on consecutive days. Mood
elevation and anxiety reduction based on half-hourly patient rating and
corresponding increase in tapping speed occurred with active drug infusion.
The effects were dose related. The higher-dose infusion rate produced more
rapid onset, greater magnitude, and longer duration of response. We conclude
that mood and anxiety fluctuations related to levodopa dosing are robust
pharmacologic, and not placebo, effects.
NEUROLOGY 1995;45:l757-176O
Robert A. Maricle, MD; John G. Nutt, MD; Rito J. Valentine, MS; and
Julie H. Carter,MN
John Cottingham "The parkinsn list brings Knowledge, Comfort,
Hope, and Friendship to the parkinsonian world."
[log in to unmask]
