HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Weinrich, M. Articles by Angel, R. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Weinrich, M. Articles by Angel, R. W.

Axial versus distal motor impairment in Parkinson's disease

From the Department of Neurology, Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, and Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA.

We measured axial (head rotation) and distal (wrist flexion and extension) movements in parkinsonian patients with varying stages of disability, before and after administration of L-dopa. Velocities for both movements were proportionately reduced in all stages of disease. L-Dopa administration provided a small but consistent increase in distal movement velocity for most patients, whereas in patients with advanced disease (stages III to V), axial movement velocity actually declined after administration of L-dopa. This decline may be partially responsible for the failure of L-dopa administration to reverse the loss of "righting reflexes" in these patients. Measurement of axial motor control may be a useful tool in evaluating therapeutics for Parkinson's disease patients.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Weinrich, Department of Neurology, Palo Alto VA Medical Center, 3801 Miranda Boulevard, Palo Alto, CA 94304.

Supported by a Merit Review Grant from the Veterans Administration.

Received March 26, 1987. Accepted for publication in final form August 5, 1987.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Levy, E. D. Louis, L. Cote, M. Perez, H. Mejia-Santana, H. Andrews, J. Harris, C. Waters, B. Ford, S. Frucht, et al. Contribution of Aging to the Severity of Different Motor Signs in Parkinson Disease Arch Neurol, March 1, 2005; 62(3): 467 - 472. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]