Parkinson's patient runs an ultra marathon: a case report

Studies show that physical activity involving prolonged endurance may benefit patients with Parkinson's disease by promoting the secretion and/or availability and use of dopamine. We report the case of a Parkinson's patient who took part in an ultra-marathon to show that extreme physical activity is possible and can facilitate medical treatment with a possible positive effect on brain structures. We report the case of a 48-year-old man in the initial stages of Parkinson's disease who took part in a 100-km run. Preparation included running approximately 90 km a week in six sessions. Evaluation included clinical monitoring and DaTSCAN® follow-up. After taking up running, the patient gradually stopped levodopa without worsening of symptoms as assessed on the UPDRS scale. DaTSCAN® imaging performed 3 days after the 100-km run showed partial correction of abnormalities seen 3 days before the race: improvement in binding at the putamen bilaterally and at the caudate nucleus on the right. Since then, the patient has continued to run regularly, for an average of 40 minutes on 5 days out of every 7. This case shows that demanding physical activity is possible in such circumstances and can help reduce medical treatment, potentially with a positive effect on the plasticity of the brain structures involved.