The Controversy Concerning Plasma Homocysteine in Parkinson’s Disease Patients Treated with Levodopa alone or with Entacapone: Effects of Vitamin Status

Kelly L. Sullivan, Theresa A. Zesiewicz, Lynn Wecker, Robert A. Hauser, Lisa R. Merlin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

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 languageAmerican English
JournalClinical Neuropharmacology
Volume29
DOIs
StatePublished - May 29 2006

Keywords

  • Entacapone
  • Levodopa
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Plasma Homocysteine
  • Vitamin Status

DC Disciplines

  • Public Health

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