Beta 2-adrenergic agonist as adjunct therapy to levodopa in Parkinson's disease.

Alexander, G M; Schwartzman, R J; Nukes, T A; Grothusen, J R; Hooker, M D · Neurology · 1994

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

We studied the effect of the beta 2-adrenergic agonist albuterol on Parkinson's disease (PD) patients receiving chronic levodopa treatment. The albuterol-treated patients demonstrated reduced parkinsonian symptoms and an increased ability to tap their index finger between two points 20 cm apart, and were able to perform a "walk test" in 70% of their control time. Three patients currently on chronic albuterol therapy still show amelioration of their parkinsonian symptoms, and two have reduced their daily levodopa dose. This study suggests that beta 2-adrenergic agonists as adjunct therapy to levodopa may be beneficial in PD.

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