A Pilot Trial of Dopamine Replacement for Dynamic Facial Expressions in Parkinson's Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Current conflict exists regarding the potential beneficial effects of dopamine medications on facial expressivity in Parkinson's disease. Via digital video analysis software, we previously found reduced facial movement (entropy) and slower time to reach peak entropy in individuals with Parkinson's disease compared to controls.

Objectives

We aimed to determine whether levodopa medications improved parameters of dynamic facial expressions (amplitude, speed).

Methods

A total of 34 individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease were videotaped making voluntary facial expressions (happy, fear, anger, disgust) when "on" and "off" levodopa. Participants were 52 to 80 years old, early to mid-stage disease, non-demented, and included more men (65%). Expressions wer

SUBMITTER: Schade RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9941940 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature