From Mucuna Pruriens to deep brain stimulation: A two-decade case history

Levodopa, combined with a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor (DCCI), is the therapeutic mainstay in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, as PD progresses, levodopa associated motor and non-motor fluctuations may develop [1]. Five years after the initiation of levodopa therapy, 75% of patients may present with drug related complications, with troublesome fluctuations and dyskinesias occurring in more than half [1]. It has been reported that levodopa may be neurotoxic, but results from the LEAP trial did not support that concern and suggested that levodopa did not have a positive or negative disease modifying effect [2].
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research