The long-term response to levodopa in dopa-responsive dystonia

We report the long-term response to levodopa in 20 patients with dopa-respo nsive dystonia (DRD). We found an inverse correlation between the daily dos e of levodopa and duration of treatment (r = -0.59, P < 0.01). Mild dyskine sias were present in 20% of our patients. Dyskinetic patients were on a hig her dose of levodopa than non-dyskinetics. Dyskinesias responded to a reduc tion in levodopa, with no deterioration in motor function. We propose that the dopamine turnover might decrease with time, which would lead to a decre ase in the requirement for levodopa and the occurrence of dyskinesias late in the course of DRD. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.