Abstract
Levodopa treatment of Parkinson disease results in hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) as a consequence of levodopa methylation by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Although inhibition of COMT should theoretically prevent or reduce levodopa-induced HHcy, results from several prospective studies are conflicting. Our review of these studies suggests that the ability of COMT inhibition to reduce or prevent levodopa-induced HHcy in Parkinson disease patients may be attributed to differences in the vitamin status of the study participants. In patients with low or low-normal folate levels, levodopa administration is associated with a greater increase in homocysteine and concomitant entacapone administration is associated with a greater reduction in homocysteine.
Original language | American English |
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Journal | Clinical Neuropharmacology |
Volume | 29 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 29 2006 |
Keywords
- Entacapone
- Levodopa
- Parkinson Disease
- Plasma Homocysteine
- Vitamin Status
DC Disciplines
- Public Health