Dopamine replacement improves motor learning of an upper extremity task in people with Parkinson disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dopamine replacement medication has positive effects on existing motor skills for people with Parkinson disease (PD), but may have detrimental effects on the learning of motor skills necessary for effective rehabilitation according to the dopamine overdose hypothesis.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine whether dopamine replacement medication (i.e. levodopa) affects: learning of a novel upper extremity task, decrements in skill following withdrawal of practice, the rate of learning, and the transfer of movement skill to untrained upper extremity tasks compared to training "off" medication, in people with PD.

Methods

Participants with mild-moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage 2) were randomized to train "on" (n = 12) or "off" (n = 11) levodopa medication.

SUBMITTER: Paul SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7398159 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature