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>From my records....... Quoted from the American Parkinson's Disease Association Newsletter, Fall 1995 Issue. Of interest to those with diabetes and Parkinson's... It has been reported that 50% to 80% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have abnormal glucose tolerance which may be further exacerbated by levodopa therapy. Little is known about the impact of chronic hyperglycemia on the course of the disease as well as its impact on the efficacy of levodopa or dopamine drugs. This issue is of clinical relevance since animal studies indicate that chronic hyperglycemia decreases dopaminergic transmission and increases the sensitivity of dopamine receptors. In addition, evidence from expirimental animal studies indicates that diabetic rats are resistant to the locomotor and behavioral effects of the dopamine agonist amphetamine. Since PD diabetes may exacerbate the severity of the motor disability and attenuate the theraputic efficacy of the levodopa or other dopaminergic agents as well as increase the risk of levodopa-induced dyskinesias (involuntary fluttery movements), the author recommends that Parkinson's patients should be routinely screened for glucose intolerance. If diabetes is present, its aggressive treatment may improve the response of levodopa and potentially diminish the risk of levodopa-induced motor dyskinesias. Barb Mallut "Lil_Honey" on the PD Chat [log in to unmask]