Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society
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Clinical Trial
Effect of chronic oral domperidone therapy on gastrointestinal symptoms and gastric emptying in patients with Parkinson's disease.
This study investigated whether domperidone could improve gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease who were receiving levodopa therapy. A total of 11 patients were studied. Following a baseline gastric emptying test, patients were treated with a starting dose of domperidone 20 mg p.o. q.i.d. ⋯ Patients' global assessment of Parkinson's disease remained stable or improved. Serum prolactin was elevated in all patients after domperidone therapy (p < 0.05). Domperidone therapy significantly reduces upper gastrointestinal symptoms and accelerates gastric emptying of a solid meal, but does not interfere with response to antiparkinsonism treatment.
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We report a case of spinal myoclonus induced by the tip of an intrathecal catheter in a 35-year-old patient with severe, adult-onset, generalized dystonia of unknown cause, treated for 2 years using intrathecal baclofen. One month after a falling episode, the patient developed focal myoclonus of the right proximal leg whenever she stood up from a seated position. The electrophysiologic recordings were compatible with spinal segmental myoclonus, originating at a focus corresponding to the L2-S2 segments. ⋯ The myoclonus resolved promptly once the catheter tip was withdrawn. We review the literature on spinal myoclonus and discuss the possible mechanisms of spinal myoclonus pertaining to the present case. This report represents an unusual complication of intrathecal catheter systems that, if recognized, can lead to prompt therapeutic intervention.