Abstract
A bradykinetic form of parkinsonism, unresponsive to levo-dopa therapy developed in four patients two to eight weeks after completion of external beam irradiation (39.2 Gy to 59.4 Gy) of their intracranial neoplasm. In the absence of other causative factors, we relate the movement disorder to radiation-induced changes within the basal ganglia. At post-mortem examination one patient had putamenal gliosis and thickened vessels with loss of nigral neurons.
Publication types
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Case Reports
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
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Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use*
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Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
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Cranial Irradiation / adverse effects*
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Drug Resistance
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Female
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Humans
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Hypokinesia / etiology
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Levodopa / therapeutic use*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Muscle Rigidity / etiology
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Parkinsonian Disorders / chemically induced
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Parkinsonian Disorders / drug therapy*
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Parkinsonian Disorders / etiology*
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Radiation Injuries / etiology*
Substances
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Antiparkinson Agents
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Levodopa