Levodopa-induced sleepiness in the Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy.

Abstract

Recent observations suggest that levodopa can induce irresistible sleep onset in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Therefore, we assessed sleepiness during a levodopa challenge in 17 MSA compared with 23 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS). SSS scores during the levodopa challenge compared with baseline were significantly increased in the MSA compared with the PD group. These findings suggest greater potential of levodopa to induce sleepiness in MSA compared with PD, which may be related to differences in basal ganglia and brainstem pathology between the two disorders.

• Authors: Klaus Seppi, Birgit Högl, Anja Diem, Cecilia Peralta, Gregor K Wenning, Werner Poewe
• Journal: Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society (Mov Disord) Vol. 21 Issue 8 Pg. 1281-3 (Aug 2006) ISSN: 0885-3185 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16639726 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: (c) 2006 Movement Disorder Society

Chemical References

• Dopamine Agents
• Levodopa

Topics

• Aged
• Disorders of Excessive Somnolence (chemically induced)
• Dopamine Agents (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Levodopa (adverse effects)
• Middle Aged
• Multiple System Atrophy (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Parkinson Disease (complications, drug therapy)