L-dopa responsiveness in dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson disease with and without dementia

Neurology. 2004 Jul 27;63(2):376-8. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000130194.84594.96.

Abstract

The authors analyzed whether nondemented (PD) and demented Parkinson patients (PDD) and patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) respond similarly in the levodopa test (LDT). Percentage of motor improvement was similar in the three groups; the proportion of patients with 10% and more improvement was greater in PD than in PDD and DLB. Positive LDT was predictive for favorable response in chronic levodopa treatment, but also some nonresponsive demented patients profited from chronic levodopa therapy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dementia / etiology
  • Dementia / physiopathology*
  • Dopamine Agonists* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa* / therapeutic use
  • Lewy Body Disease / drug therapy
  • Lewy Body Disease / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
  • Parkinson Disease / psychology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Levodopa