Abstract
Twenty-one patients with Parkinson's disease were studied before and 2 h after the administration of a single dose of 20 mg of methylphenidate. In response to methylphenidate, attention significantly improved, whereas memory and visual-spatial performance were unchanged. Gait speed, stride time variability, and Timed Up and Go times (demonstrated measures of fall risk) significantly improved. These findings suggest a new potential pharmacologic means of enhancing mobility and decreasing fall risk in Parkinson's disease.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Controlled Clinical Trial
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Attention / drug effects
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Central Nervous System Stimulants / administration & dosage*
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Cognition / drug effects*
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Female
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Gait / drug effects*
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Humans
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Male
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Methylphenidate / administration & dosage*
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Motor Activity / drug effects
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Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data
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Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
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Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
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Pilot Projects
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Problem Solving / drug effects
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Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
Substances
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Central Nervous System Stimulants
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Methylphenidate