Abstract
The effect of a new dopaminergic agonist, piribedil, was studied in 16 patients with Parkinson's disease and compared with placebo and L-DOPA. Piribedil appeared to have a moderate therapeutic effect that was significantly less than that of L-DOPA. Tremor appeared to be the main clinical feature to benefit. Nausea, vomiting, and somnolence were most frequent during the buildup of treatment and confusion and hallucinations during long-term treatment. Piribedil caused a significant decrease in probenecid-induced accumulation of HVA in the CSF, suggesting reduced turnover of endogenous dopamine in the brain. There was a significant relationship between dopamine receptor activation by piribedil and improvement of parkinsonian disability.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Comparative Study
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Controlled Clinical Trial
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Brain / metabolism*
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Dopamine / metabolism*
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Drug Evaluation
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Female
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Homovanillic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
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Humans
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Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
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Levodopa / administration & dosage
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Levodopa / adverse effects
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Levodopa / therapeutic use
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Parkinson Disease / cerebrospinal fluid
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Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
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Parkinson Disease / metabolism
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Piperazines / therapeutic use*
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Piribedil / administration & dosage
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Piribedil / adverse effects
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Piribedil / therapeutic use*
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Placebos
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Serotonin / metabolism*
Substances
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Piperazines
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Placebos
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Serotonin
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Levodopa
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Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
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Piribedil
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Dopamine
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Homovanillic Acid