Human locomotion: levodopa keeps you straight

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_E72355A0FD03
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Human locomotion: levodopa keeps you straight
Journal
Neuroscience Letters
Author(s)
Mohr C., Landis T., Bracha H. S., Fathi M., Brugger P.
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2003
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
339
Number
2
Pages
115-118
Language
english
Notes
0304-3940 (Print)
0304-3940 (Linking)
Clinical Trial
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Abstract
Locomotion depends on an intact dopamine system. This system seems to be functionally asymmetric, as evidenced by an asymmetric turning preference. Using a double-blind procedure, the effect of levodopa on the number of veers when walking blindfolded along a straight line (20 m) in the middle of a corridor was tested in 40 healthy dextral men. One group received 200 mg levodopa, while the other group received placebo. We found that (1). subjects veered less after levodopa than after placebo, and (2). improved straight-walking tendency was most prominent for the levodopa group which veered less often to the right side than the placebo group. These findings imply that spatial orientation skills improved under levodopa. We conjecture that a task-dependent dopamine demand during our task was satisfied by levodopa supplementation, and over-proportionately so by the right hemisphere.
Keywords
Adult Attention/*drug effects Dopamine Agents/*pharmacology Double-Blind Method Humans Levodopa/*pharmacology Locomotion/*drug effects Male Orientation/drug effects Psychomotor Performance/drug effects Space Perception/drug effects Walking
Create date
17/01/2011 20:07
Last modification date
20/08/2019 17:10
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