Dopaminergic influences on the P300 abnormality in Parkinson's disease

J Neurol Sci. 1998 Jun 11;158(1):83-7. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(98)00102-6.

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the contribution of central dopaminergic mechanisms to the P300 event-related potential (P300) abnormality in Parkinson's disease. We measured the P300 in 37 non-demented patients with Parkinson's disease (19 de novo and 18 levodopa-treated) and 15 age-matched healthy volunteers. The P300 measurement was repeated in 14 de novo patients, after 6-12 months levodopa therapy. The severity of parkinsonian symptom was assessed using the UPDRS-motor scale. De novo patients showed prolonged P300 latency compared with levodopa-treated patients, as well as healthy volunteers. The levodopa therapy for 6-12 months significantly shortened the P300 latency and reduced the UPDRS-motor examination score in de novo patients. However, the percent changes in the P300 latency were not correlated with those in the UPDRS-motor examination score. These results indicate that the central dopaminergic mechanisms apart from those responsible for motor symptoms, may contribute to the P300 abnormality in Parkinson's disease.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiparkinson Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Dopamine Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Dopamine Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects*
  • Event-Related Potentials, P300*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / administration & dosage
  • Levodopa / pharmacology*
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mental Processes
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
  • Parkinson Disease / psychology
  • Reaction Time / drug effects
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Cholinergic Antagonists
  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Levodopa
  • Dopamine