Motor benefit from levodopa in spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy

Ann Neurol. 2000 May;47(5):662-5.

Abstract

We report on a 16-year-old girl with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy associated with premature birth and typical periventricular leukomalacia, who had a dramatic improvement in motor function after treatment with carbidopa/levodopa. Kinematic and electromyographic analyses of reaching movements demonstrate that levodopa decreased muscle co-contraction, decreased unwanted movements, and improved her ability to maintain a steady arm posture. These findings suggest that levodopa be considered as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antiparkinson Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cerebral Palsy / complications*
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / pharmacology
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use*
  • Motor Skills / drug effects*
  • Quadriplegia / diagnosis
  • Quadriplegia / drug therapy*
  • Quadriplegia / etiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Levodopa