Duodenal levodopa infusion for advanced PD
 

Mov Disord. 2007 Jun 15;22(8):1145-9. Links
Duodenal levodopa infusion for advanced Parkinson's disease: 12-month treatment outcome.
Antonini A, Isaias IU, Canesi M, Zibetti M, Mancini F, Manfredi L, Dal Fante M, Lopiano L, Pezzoli G.
Parkinson Institute, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, Milan, Italy. angelo3000@yahoo.com

We assessed prospectively clinical and quality of life changes in 9 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD; H&Y > or = 3) with severe motor fluctuations and dyskinesia who started continuous daily levodopa duodenal infusion through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Seven patients completed the follow-up period. Duration of "off" periods and time with disabling dyskinesia shortened significantly in all patients (P < 0.01). Total daily dose of levodopa infused did not differ from baseline equivalents. There were significant improvements in UPDRS-II (activities of daily living) and -IV (motor complications) in the "on" condition (P < 0.02), and in four PDQ-39 domains (mobility, activities of daily living, stigma, bodily discomfort; P < 0.05). Two patients withdrew for adverse events. Our results demonstrate that a satisfactory therapeutic window can be achieved and maintained for several months in advanced PD patients.

PMID: 17661426 [PubMed - in process]

I remember talking to my Neuro last year ...
 

about his key take home messages from the 2006 European PD conference and his number one message was that Duodopa was giving great results in Sweden.

Neil.

I'm interested in this trial. It is coming to Florida eventually, but is hung up in the FDA. I think by the time it gets here, it will be Phase III. I check on it every once in awhile; maybe this publication will mean movement on the approval.

Paula