Biomaterial Database

Does levodopa improve swallowing dysfunction in Parkinson's disease patients? 2009

C Menezes, and A Melo

Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To assess the influence of levodopa on swallowing dysfunction in Parkinson's disease patients. METHODS A systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis were performed. All studies referring to levodopa and swallowing dysfunction that provided direct data or data that could be transformed into mean +/- standard deviation were considered for analysis. The primary efficacy variables were Oral Transit Time (OTT), Pharyngeal Transit Time (PTT) for both thin fluids and solids, and aspiration. RESULTS Seven studies describing swallowing functions in PD patients using levodopa were found, and five of these matched the inclusion criteria. No clinically meaningful improvement after levodopa intake was noted. Adverse effects were not reported by the authors. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis shows that levodopa intake was not associated with an improvement of swallowing dysfunction in Parkinson's disease patients.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007980	Levodopa	The naturally occurring form of DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE and the immediate precursor of DOPAMINE. Unlike dopamine itself, it can be taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is rapidly taken up by dopaminergic neurons and converted to DOPAMINE. It is used for the treatment of PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS and is usually given with agents that inhibit its conversion to dopamine outside of the central nervous system.	L-Dopa,3-Hydroxy-L-tyrosine,Dopaflex,Dopar,L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,Larodopa,Levopa,3 Hydroxy L tyrosine,L 3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,L Dopa
D010300	Parkinson Disease	A progressive, degenerative neurologic disease characterized by a TREMOR that is maximal at rest, retropulsion (i.e. a tendency to fall backwards), rigidity, stooped posture, slowness of voluntary movements, and a masklike facial expression. Pathologic features include loss of melanin containing neurons in the substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei of the brainstem. LEWY BODIES are present in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus but may also be found in a related condition (LEWY BODY DISEASE, DIFFUSE) characterized by dementia in combination with varying degrees of parkinsonism. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1059, pp1067-75)	Idiopathic Parkinson Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson Disease,Paralysis Agitans,Primary Parkinsonism,Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson's Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body,Parkinsonism, Primary
D003680	Deglutition Disorders	Difficulty in SWALLOWING which may result from neuromuscular disorder or mechanical obstruction. Dysphagia is classified into two distinct types: oropharyngeal dysphagia due to malfunction of the PHARYNX and UPPER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER; and esophageal dysphagia due to malfunction of the ESOPHAGUS.	Dysphagia,Swallowing Disorders,Esophageal Dysphagia,Oropharyngeal Dysphagia,Deglutition Disorder,Disorders, Deglutition,Dysphagia, Esophageal,Dysphagia, Oropharyngeal,Swallowing Disorder
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000978	Antiparkinson Agents	Agents used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The most commonly used drugs act on the dopaminergic system in the striatum and basal ganglia or are centrally acting muscarinic antagonists.	Antiparkinson Drugs,Antiparkinsonian Agents,Antiparkinsonians,Agents, Antiparkinson,Agents, Antiparkinsonian,Drugs, Antiparkinson