Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Optimized System for Cerebral Perfusion Monitoring in the Rat Stroke Model of Intraluminal Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Published on: February 17, 2013
Effects of Levodopa Therapy on Cerebral Arteries and Perfusion in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Yuhui Xiong1, Lanxin Ji1, Le He1
1Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Background:
Levodopa is the most-commonly used therapy for Parkinson's Disease (PD). Imaging findings show increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to levodopa, but the artery morphological change is less studied.
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of levodopa on cerebral arteries and CBF.
Study Type:
Prospective.
Population:
57 PD patients (56 ± 10 years, 26 males) and 17 age-matched healthy controls (AMC, 57 ± 9 years, 9 males) were scanned at baseline (OFF). Patients were rescanned 50 minutes after taking levodopa (ON).
Field Strength And Sequence:
3 T; Simultaneous noncontrast angiography intraplaque imaging (SNAP) based on turbo field echo; Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) based on echo-planner imaging.
Assessment:
The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) was used to assess the disease severity. Length and radius of arteries were measured from SNAP images. CBF was calculated from PCASL images globally and regionally.
Statistical Tests:
Mann Whitney U tests were conducted in comparing PD vs. AMC. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank tests were used in comparing OFF vs. ON, and the more-affected vs. the less-affected hemisphere in PD. Linear regressions were performed to test the correlations of neuroimaging findings with behavioral changes. Significance threshold was P < 0.05 with Bonferroni correction.
Results:
PD patients were identified with significantly lower CBF (PD OFF Mean = 40.15 ± 5.99, AMC Mean = 43.48 ± 6.21 mL/100 g/min) and shortened total artery length (PD OFF Mean = 5851.07 ± 1393.45, AMC Mean = 7479.16 ± 1335.93 mm). Levodopa elevated CBF of PD brains (PD ON Mean = 41.48 ± 6.32 mL/100 g/min) and expanded radius of proximal arteries. Artery radius change significantly correlated with CBF change in corresponding territories (r = 0.559 for Internal Carotid Arteries, r = 0.448 for Basilar Artery, and r = 0.464 for Middle Cerebral Artery M1). Global CBF significantly related to UPDRS-III (r = -0.391) post-levodopa.
Data Conclusion:
Levodopa can increase CBF by dilating proximal arteries.
Level Of Evidence:
1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 4.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:16Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...