Research article summary (published 11 Jan 2004):

The role of COMT inhibition in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Full Abstract

Several prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated that combining levodopa with the COMT inhibitor entacapone is efficacious in reducing motor fluctuations. Compared with levodopa alone, mean daily "on" time was increased by 1-1.7 hours, with a corresponding decrease in daily "off" time. In addition, some studies have shown that these benefits are associated with significant improvements in both UPDRS motor and ADL scores. These benefits have been shown to persist in long-term clinical trials with follow-up for up to 3 years. Recent studies have also examined the value of combining levodopa with entacapone in stable patients who do not experience motor response fluctuations. Here, too, benefits have been reported, especially in health-related quality of life measures. Studies to determine if administering levodopa in combination with entacapone will delay the development of dyskinesia and motor fluctuations are eagerly awaited.

Author information

Author/s: Poewe, Werner (W);

Affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Neurology (Neurology), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2004-Jan; vol 62 (issue 1 Suppl 1) : pp S31-8

Dates: Created 2004/01/13; Completed 2004/02/04; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 14718678, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Antiparkinson Agents - therapeutic use Catechol O-Methyltransferase - antagonists & inhibitors Catechols - therapeutic use Clinical Trials as Topic - statistics & numerical data Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic - statistics & numerical data Enzyme Inhibitors - therapeutic use

Humans Middle Aged Motor Activity - drug effects Nitriles Parkinson Disease - drug therapy Treatment Outcome

Associated Chemicals: Antiparkinson Agents (0) ; Catechols (0) ; Enzyme Inhibitors (0) ; Nitriles (0) ; entacapone (116314-67-1) ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.6)

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