LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF HOME-MADE, YJF,VODOPA IN 43 CASES OF PARALYSIS AGITANS

Levodopa (L-dopa) is eifcctive in 30 (69.8%}of 43 cases of paralysis agitans (PA) or Park-inson's disease, giving excelknt results in 8,good results in 15 and fair results in 7. In 12of the 30 medieatiou effect tapered during 2year long term therapy. Lohg-term L-dopamedication does not arrest progression of thedisease; Long-term mcdieation side effects includedyskincsia which is tolerable in most patiwts,"on-off" alternating dyskinesia and akinesia,kinesia paradoxica and mental symptoms in ourseries. L-dopa is required in large tlosagcs. itis expensive. most of the dose ingested doesnot; reach fie brain where It is needed butenters extracerebral tissue where doparrnne andsome of its metabolites can induw many sideeffects as gasfrointestinal and cardiovascularreactions although the latter arc not seriousenough to cause ECG changes in our series. Cumpouiids of dopa dccarhoxylase inhibitorand L-dopa available in 2 preparations givebetter results than L-tlopa alone Imt do not re-duce intracerebral sIde eiTects as dyskinesiaand mental syruptoms. Dopaminergic receptoragonists also give encouragiug result,s. We plarito do further research on these drugs.