Amantadine reduces the duration of levodopa-induced dyskinesia:: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

We evaluated the effects of amantadine on levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) in eighteen consecutive Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The primary outcomes were the Clinical Dyskinesia Rating Scale (CDRS) and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part IVa score changes. The secondary outcomes were the UPDRS 11 and III score changes. Amantadine did not change the CDRS score for hyperkinesia or dystonia, but decreased the duration of LID and its influence on daily activities (p=0.04) and the UPDRS 11 score (p=0.01) more than placebo. These findings show that amantadine reduces the duration of LID and improves motor disability in PD. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.