Sustained striatal dopamine levels following intestinal levodopa infusions in Parkinson's disease patients. Issue 2 (17th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Politis, Marios; Sauerbier, Anna; Loane, Clare; Pavese, Nicola; Martin, Anne; Corcoran, Benjamin; Brooks, David J.; Ray‐Chaudhuri, K.; Piccini, Paola
• Is Part Of: Movement disorders. Volume 32:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 235
• Page End: 240
• Publication Date: 2016-11-17
• Subjects: Parkinson's -- duodopa -- levodopa -- PET -- raclopride; Movement disorders -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.26848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-3185

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: The objective of this study was to investigate in vivo the ability of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusions to produce sustained striatal dopamine levels and to improve clinical outcomes in Parkinson's disease patients. Methods: Six advanced Parkinson's disease patients had serial [ 11 C]raclopride PET to assess levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusion‐induced rises in striatal dopamine as reflected by a fall in dopamine‐D2/3 receptor availability. Parkinson's disease patients had baseline scan OFF‐dopaminergic stimulation and 2 scans following initiation of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusions. Striatal D2/3 binding was measured in striatal subregions corresponding to sensorimotor, limbic, and cognitive/associative function. Results: Mean striatal [ 11 C]raclopride nondisplaceable binding potential decreased by 14.0% to 16.7% in sensorimotor, 12.0%‐14.4% in limbic, and 8.7%‐11.6% in cognitive/associative function subregions at 1‐ to 10‐hour points ( P < 0.01). Sensorimotor subregion [ 11 C]raclopride nondisplaceable binding potential reductions correlated with reductions in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III scores over the course of the infusion ( r = 0.81; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusions generate a stable rise in striatal dopamine levels and are associated with improvements in motor manifestations. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.