EEG power spectral changes secondary to L-DOPA treatment in parkinsonian patients: a pilot study

Clinical EEG evaluation and power spectral analysis were performed on 12 parkinsonian patients before and during L-DOPA treatment. The EEG evaluation did not disclose any significant effects of L-DOPA treatment. Spectral analysis disclosed normal interlobar and interhemispheric power differences and an increase in delta and slow-theta power in the right temporal as compared to the right occipital lobe before L-DOPA treatment was initiated. L-DOPA treatment significantly increased alpha power in both occipital lobes, decreased theta power in the right temporal lobe, accentuated power differences in the theta and alpha bands between temporal and occipital lobes and attenuated beta power differences in those areas. This work is intended as a pilot study in the quantitative EEG evaluation of Parkinson's disease and L-DOPA treatment.