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Biomedical subjects

J L Juncos

Publications and source records attributed to J L Juncos.

41 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Exercise and the antiparkinsonian response to levodopa.

The contribution of acute physical exercise to the motor fluctuations occurring in advanced Parkinson's disease was studied in four patients using a standard treadmill protocol. With a constant optimal-dose intravenous levodopa infusion, no changes in plasma drug levels or antiparkinsonian response were observed during or for 60 min following a 35-min exercise period, during which the work load increased from minimal to vigorous. Although an effect of exercise on levodopa absorption from the gastrointestinal tract cannot be excluded, there seems to be no basis on which to implicate acute physical activity, at levels ordinarily experienced by parkinsonian patients, in the pathogenesis of the fluctuations in motor performance.

Adult↗

Controlled release levodopa treatment of motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.

A controlled release preparation of levodopa-carbidopa, CR III, given every 4 hours to 17 Parkinsonian patients for up to 10 months reduced plasma drug variations and improved motor response fluctuations compared with standard levodopa-carbidopa given every 2 hours. The results support the value of pharmaceutical approaches to the stabilisation of circulating levodopa levels in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗

3-O-methyldopa and motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.

High plasma levels of 3-O-methyldopa (OMD) were found in parkinsonian patients chronically treated with levodopa, particularly in those with on-off phenomenon. However, no relation could be established between circulating levels of the levodopa metabolite and the presence of motor response fluctuations at any stage of disease. It appears unlikely that plasma OMD accumulation contributes to the pathogenesis of wearing-off or on-off responses.

Administration, Oral↗

Levodopa methyl ester treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Intravenously administered levodopa is effective although relatively impractical for the chronic treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease who are disabled by motor fluctuation. In view of its greater solubility, levodopa methyl ester (LDME) was evaluated in seven advanced parkinsonian patients as a potentially more convenient alternative. Compared with oral levodopa, LDME infusions resulted in marked reductions of both plasma levodopa variations and motor response fluctuations in patients with either wearing-off or on-off phenomena. During infusions lasting approximately 1 week, there were no complications except for peripheral vein phlebitis. The results suggest that LDME might be a practical parenteral treatment for those with severe Parkinson's disease. It appears that central venous access or its equivalent will be necessary for its chronic administration.

Administration, Oral↗