Does levodopa improve vision in albinism? Results of a randomized, controlled clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dopamine is an intermediate product in the biosynthesis of melanin pigment, which is absent or reduced in albinism. Animal research has shown that supplying a precursor to dopamine, levodopa, may improve visual acuity in albinism by enhancing neural networks. This study examines the safety and effectiveness of levodopa on best-corrected visual acuity in human subjects with albinism.

Design

Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical trial conducted at the University of Minnesota.

Participants

Forty-five subjects with albinism.

Methods

Subjects with albinism were randomly assigned to one of three treatment arms: levodopa 0.76 mg/kg with 25% carbidopa, levodopa 0.51 mg/kg with 25% carbidopa, or placebo and followed for 20 weeks,

SUBMITTER: Summers CG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4169362 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature