Differential response in choice reaction time following apomorphine based on prior dopaminergic treatment

Acta Neurol Scand. 2004 May;109(5):348-54. doi: 10.1046/j.1600-0404.2003.00231.x.

Abstract

Choice reaction time (CRT) paradigms demonstrated deficits in the preparation and execution of movements in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Predominantly these trials did not consider an influence of acute and long-term dopaminergic substitution. Objective was to determine the acute effect of apomorphine on the response to a repeatedly performed CRT task. We repeatedly executed the CRT paradigm before and after subcutaneous apomorphine injection in previously treated, untreated and long-term dopamine substituted PD patients, who took placebo. No significant change of CRT and movement time (MT) appeared in PD patients with chronic dopaminergic drug intake after apomorphine injection. CRT and MT both significantly worsened in untreated PD patients. Placebo application induced no significant alteration. Binding of apomorphine to presynaptic autoreceptors with subsequent sedation or inhibition of locomotor activity hypothetically explain our results in before untreated PD patients. Previous long-term dopaminergic substitution may cause a certain tolerance to this phenomenon.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects
  • Apomorphine / administration & dosage*
  • Apomorphine / adverse effects
  • Autoreceptors / drug effects
  • Choice Behavior / drug effects*
  • Dopamine Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Dopamine Agents / adverse effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Tolerance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Long-Term Care
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Premedication
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects*
  • Reaction Time / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Presynaptic / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Autoreceptors
  • Dopamine Agents
  • Receptors, Presynaptic
  • Apomorphine