LOW-DOSE CLOZAPINE IMPROVES DYSKINESIAS IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

The severity of parkinsonian motor disability and dyskinesias was eval uated in seven levodopa-responsive patients with Parkinson's disease a fter an acute challenge with the mixed dopamine agonist apomorphine, b efore and after low-dose clozapine (50 mg) for 18 +/- 2 days, There wa s a significant 59% improvement (p < 0.05) of apomorphine-induced dysk inesias without aggravation of parkinsonian motor disability following clozapine treatment. The results suggest that low-dose clozapine, alr eady shown to improve psychotic symptoms, may help to reduce severe le vodopa-induced dyskinesias in parkinsonian patients.