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Murine Model for Parkinson's Disease: from 6-OH Dopamine Lesion to Behavioral Test
Published on: January 15, 2010
The apomorphine test in parkinsonian syndromes
D F D'Costa1, R J Abbott, I F Pye
1Department of Neurology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Apomorphine effectively predicts levodopa response in Parkinson's disease (IPD) and aids in distinguishing it from Parkinsonian plus syndromes (PPS). This dopamine agonist shows high responsiveness in IPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Apomorphine, a dopamine receptor agonist, is utilized for managing Parkinson's disease fluctuations.
- Assessing apomorphine's utility in predicting levodopa responsiveness and differentiating Parkinson's disease subtypes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate apomorphine as a predictor of dopa responsiveness in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).
- To investigate apomorphine's role in differentiating IPD from Parkinsonian plus syndromes (PPS).
Main Methods:
- Twenty IPD patients and eight PPS patients were administered apomorphine after a 12-hour levodopa withdrawal.
- Patient responses were assessed, followed by reassessment after one month of oral levodopa treatment.
Main Results:
- Ninety-five percent of IPD patients (19/20) responded positively to apomorphine.
- Ninety percent of IPD patients (18/20) responded to oral levodopa.
- Twenty-five percent of PPS patients (2/8) responded to apomorphine but not levodopa; severe drowsiness occurred in PPS patients.
Conclusions:
- Apomorphine injection serves as a reliable predictor of dopa responsiveness in IPD.
- The apomorphine test demonstrates potential value in differentiating IPD from PPS, aiding in diagnosis.
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