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L-dopa |
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l-dopa (ĕl-dō`pə), drug used to alleviate some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism, degenerative brain disorder first described by the English surgeon James Parkinson in 1817. When there is no known cause, the disease usually appears after age 40 and is referred to as Parkinson's disease. ..... Click the link for more information. , particularly trembling, rigidity, and slow movements; the drug is also called levodopa. Parkinson's disease results when the concentration of dopamine in the brain is depleted (see catecholamine catecholamine (kăt'əkôl`əmēn) ..... Click the link for more information. ). Medical administration of dopamine itself is ineffective since that chemical apparently does not enter the brain from the blood. A metabolic precursor of dopamine, l-dopa does enter the brain via the bloodstream and is probably converted into dopamine there. Because there are many brain disorders with similar symptoms, many patients do not show any improvement when treated with the drug. Furthermore, virtually all patients on l-dopa experience side effects including nausea, loss of appetite, cardiac irregularities, and psychological changes. levodopaor L-dopaOrganic compound (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) from which the body makes dopamine, a neurotransmitter deficient in persons with parkinsonism. When given orally in large daily doses, levodopa can lessen the effects of the disease. However, it becomes less effective over time and causes abnormal involuntary movements (dyskinesia). L-dopa [¦el ′dō·pə] (pharmacology) How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| The trials covered Parkinson's disease patients with the wearing-off phenomenon, who have received the treatment with L-DOPA alone or L-DOPA with other agents. A number of studies simply stated diagnosis was confirmed by a neurologist, but most defined a case on the basis of the presence of two or more of the cardinal signs of PD (tremor, rigidity, brady-kinesia, and postural instability); some also used additional criteria, including responsiveness to L-dopa therapy and/or a progressive disorder. Subcortical vascular lesions predict functional recovery after rehabilitation in patients with L-dopa refractory parkinsonism. |
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