Levodopa in parkinsonism

In 20 patients suffering from parkinsonism, L-dopa produced maximal benefit after 3 years. A decline in the response then occurred, but considerable benefit was still derived after 5 years by patients who had improved initially. The effect of the drug on the symptomatology is reviewed. Whether the mortality rate in parkinsonism is improved by L-dopa is undecided, but recent publications and the present study indicate that the life expectancy is prolonged.