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01-09-2008 | Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders - Original Article

l-dopa modulates motor cortex excitability in Alzheimer’s disease patients

Authors: Alessandro Martorana, Alessandro Stefani, Maria Giuseppina Palmieri, Zaira Esposito, Giorgio Bernardi, Giuseppe Sancesario, Mariangela Pierantozzi

Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission | Issue 9/2008

Abstract

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies have shown abnormalities of motor cortical excitability, such as a decreased intra-cortical inhibition (ICI) and changes in resting motor threshold (rMT). We studied the effects of l-dopa on rMT and ICI in a cohort of moderate AD patients after paired-pulse TMS. Results were compared with a control group of healthy subjects. As expected, AD patients showed a significant reduction in ICI and a lower rMT. l-dopa administration (soluble form, melevodopa 200 mg) promptly reversed the ICI impairment up to normalization. This effect was specific, since it was not mimicked in control subjects. These results indicate a possible role of dopamine in modulating AD cortical excitability, thus suggesting an interaction between dopaminergic ascending pathways and endogenous intracortical transmitters. In addition, considering that l-dopa showed a pharmacological profile similar to the one of cholinomimetics, l-dopa might represent a reliable tool to study new therapeutic perspective and strategies for AD.

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Title: l-dopa modulates motor cortex excitability in Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Alessandro Martorana
Alessandro Stefani
Maria Giuseppina Palmieri
Zaira Esposito
Giorgio Bernardi
Giuseppe Sancesario
Mariangela Pierantozzi
Publication date: 01-09-2008
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission / Issue 9/2008
Print ISSN: 0300-9564
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1463
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-008-0082-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

l-dopa modulates motor cortex excitability in Alzheimer’s disease patients

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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