Nighttime levodopa infusions to treat motor fluctuations in advanced parkinson's disease: Preliminary observations

Abstract

We report the clinical response of a parkinsonian patient with severe motor fluctuations who was begun on continuous, nighttime‐only levodopa infusions accompanied by oral carbidopa/levodopa use during the day. Sleep disturbances improved immediately. There was a gradual reduction in “off” time and severity of dyskinesias during the waking day. Nighttime‐only levodopa infusions have a carryover benefit to the waking hours and may be suitable for long‐term therapy to reduce daily motor fluctuations in some patients with Parkinson's disease.