Parkinson’s Disease: Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia

Although very effective, chronic levodopa therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is frequently complicated by the subsequent development of motor complications, which take the form of fluctuations of bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor- and levodopa-induced dyskinesia and dystonia. With each year of levodopa treatment, about 10% of patients develop motor complications. Young age of PD onset, disease duration and severity, and high doses of levodopa are recognized risk factors for the appearance of motor complications. These complications continue to be a source of disability for PD patients and are a major limiting factor in the therapeutic efficacy of levodopa.