Expert Consensus Group report on the use of apomorphine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease--Clinical practice recommendations

Extensive published evidence supports the use of subcutaneously-administered apomorphine as an effective therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) but to date no consensus recommendations have been available to guide healthcare professionals in the optimal application of apomorphine therapy in clinical practice. This document outlines best-practice recommendations for selecting appropriate candidates for apomorphine intermittent injection (the pen-injection formulation) or apomorphine continuous infusion (the pump formulation), for initiating patients onto therapy and for managing their ongoing treatment. Apomorphine is a suitable therapeutic option for PD patients who experience troublesome 'off' periods despite optimized treatment with oral PD medications. Due to its speed of onset, apomorphine injection is particularly suited to those patients requiring rapid, reliable relief of both unpredictable and predictable 'off' periods, those who require reliable and fast relief when anticipating an 'off', those with levodopa absorption or gastric emptying problems resulting in delayed or failed 'on', or for rapid relief of early morning dystonia or akinesia. Apomorphine infusion(1) is suited for patients whose 'off' periods can no longer be adequately controlled by standard oral PD treatment or for those in whom rescue doses of apomorphine injection are effective but either needed too frequently (more than 4-6 times per day), or are associated with increasing dyskinesia. In addition to treating motor fluctuations, there is evidence that apomorphine infusion may be effective for the management of specific non-motor symptoms of PD associated with 'off' periods. Apomorphine infusion is less invasive than other non-oral treatment options for advancing disease, intrajejunal levodopa infusion and deep-brain stimulation.

A Pilot Prospective, Multicenter Observational Study of Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome in Parkinson's Disease

Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS) has been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who rapidly decrease or stop their dopamine agonist (DA) treatment. Retrospective studies suggest a high prevalence of DAWS (14%-18%) in PD, but there are no prospective studies. We report data from the first pilot European multicenter prospective study addressing the frequency of probable DAWS (Rabinak-Nirenberg criteria) in PD patients. The self-completed Nonmotor Symptoms Questionnaire (which addresses the core features of DAWS) was administered at clinical follow-up at 1 month in 51 patients (33 male; mean age: 73.0 ± 9.9 years; PD duration: 12.2 ± 6.3 years) who had discontinued dopamine agonists. Twelve out of fifty-one patients (24%) met clinical criteria for DAWS, the most common symptoms of which were anxiety (91.7%), pain (50%), sweating (41.7%), and anhedonia (16.7%), after the withdrawal of a DA (ropinirole, pramipexole, or cabergoline). In this first prospective evaluation of DAWS in the clinic, preliminary data indicate a high rate after discontinuation of a range of DAs, particularly in the context of impulse control disorders. Larger, controlled studies are required to establish a definitive management pathway.

EuroInf: a multicenter comparative observational study of apomorphine and levodopa infusion in Parkinson's disease

Subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (Apo) and intrajejunal levodopa infusion (IJLI) are two treatment options for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and refractory motor complications, with varying cost of treatment. There are no multicenter studies comparing the effects of the two strategies. This open-label, prospective, observational, 6-month, multicenter study compared 43 patients on Apo (48.8% males, age 62.3 ± 10.6 years; disease duration: 14 ± 4.4 years; median H & Y stage 3; interquartile range [IQR]: 3-4) and 44 on IJLI (56.8% males, age 62.7 ± 9.1 years; disease duration: 16.1 ± 6.7 years; median H & Y stage 4; IQR, 3-4). Cohen's effect sizes (≥0.8 considered as large) were "large" with both therapies with respect to total motor, nonmotor, and quality-of-life scores. The Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) with Apo showed moderate improvement, whereas sleep/fatigue, gastrointestinal, urinary, and sexual dimensions of the NMSS showed significantly higher improvement with IJLI. Seventy-five percent on IJLI improved in their quality-of-life and nonmotor symptoms (NMS), whereas in the Apo group, a similar proportion improved in quality of life, but 40% in NMS. Adverse effects included peritonitis with IJLI and skin nodules on Apo. Based on this open-label, nonrandomized, comparative study, we report that, in advanced Parkinson's patients, both IJLI and Apo infusion therapy appear to provide a robust improvement in motor symptoms, motor complications, quality-of-life, and some NMS. Controlled, randomized studies are required.

Clinical syndromes: Parkinsonian gait

Disturbances of gait manifest in almost all cases of Parkinson's disease (PD), often leading to loss of mobility and increased mortality. In this review a clinically oriented approach to gait disorders in different stages of PD is presented. In addition, interactions between motor behavior and mental processing will be discussed. Analyzing the clinical features of gait can be helpful to differentiate PD from atypical forms of parkinsonism. Bedside tests to distinguish parkinsonian gait disorders are reviewed. There is still an unmet need to effectively treat complex gait disturbances, which are frequently not responsive to dopamine replacement medication. We thus present current approaches for the management of dopa-refractory gait disorders.

Early botulinum toxin treatment for spastic pes equinovarus--a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Spastic pes equinovarus is a frequent pathological posture of the lower extremity. Botulinum toxin (BoNT/A) has been successfully applied to treat lower limb spasticity. However, the best time to initiate treatment remains unclear. A beneficial effect of an early treatment has been suggested in previous studies.

METHODS

A single-centre double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed to investigate the efficacy of BoNT/A to reduce muscle hypertonicity at the ankle. Fifty-two patients with unilateral or bilateral spastic pes equinovarus with a modified Ashworth score (mAS) of at least 1+ after stroke, traumatic brain injury or hypoxic encephalopathy were allocated to receive either BoNT/A or placebo treatment. A second, open injection was optional at week 12. Patients received unilateral or bilateral injections with 230 or 460 U onabotulinumtoxinA, respectively. The course of the mAS was explored during the open study phase.

RESULTS

Patients who had received BoNT/A treatment had lower mAS compared with placebo at week 12 (P < 0.01). During the open label phase, patients from the placebo group showed further deterioration of muscle tone despite starting from a similar baseline and receiving BoNT treatment. Spastic feet that had received BoNT/A in the first cycle had comparatively lower mAS scores over all follow-up data and at week 24 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates a reduction of muscular hypertonicity in spastic pes equines with BoNT/A treatment given during the first 3 months after the lesion. Exploratory analyses of the course of muscular hypertonicity during the open phase favour earlier to later treatment.

Diffusion tensor imaging in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and multisystem atrophy (Parkinsonian type)

BACKGROUND

Differentiation between Parkinson's disease (PD) and atypical Parkinson syndromes (AP) is usually based on clinical examination, but can be challenging especially at early stages of the diseases. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows for differentiation between PD and AP with good specificity. It is a promising tool for clinical application, but has not been elaborated completely with respect to methodology and validity.

OBJECTIVE

In this study we evaluated differences of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) within white brain matter between patients with PD and multisystem atrophy of the parkinsonian type (MSAp).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DTI data of 9 PD and 9 MSAp patients were compared by means of a hypothesis-free whole-brain analysis algorithm (TBSS) focusing on changes within white matter.

RESULTS

We found significantly higher values of the ADC in the MSAp group in the anterior limb of the inner capsule, superior parts of the corona radiata, and lateral periputaminal white matter. Group differences in FA values were not significant.

CONCLUSION

Changes of the ADC close to the putamen proved most consistent and seem to be promising for the ongoing clinical implementation of DTI for the differentiation of hypokinetic-rigid movement disorders.

Peripheral neuropathy in Parkinson's disease: levodopa exposure and implications for duodenal delivery

In advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, continuous intra-duodenal infusion of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is an established approach in the management of motor complications that cannot be further improved by conventional oral therapy. In general, tolerability of LCIG has resembled that of oral dopaminergic therapy; however, cases of symptomatic peripheral neuropathy (PN), sometimes severe, have been reported in patients receiving LCIG. Cases are generally a sensorimotor polyneuropathy with both subacute and chronic onsets, often associated with vitamin B12 and/or B6 deficiency. Rare cases clinically resemble Guillain-Barré syndrome. In the absence of prospectively collected data on possible associations between LCIG and PN, it is prudent to explore potential mechanisms that may explain a possible relationship. The PN may be linked to use of high-dose levodopa, promoting high levels of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid or reduced absorption of vitamins essential for homocysteine metabolism. Cases of LCIG-associated PN often have responded to vitamin supplementation without need for LCIG cessation, although LCIG cessation is sometimes necessary. It may be advisable to monitor vitamin B12/B6 status before and after patients start LCIG and be vigilant for signs of PN. Prospective, large-scale, long-term studies are needed to clarify whether vitamin supplementation and routine use of a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor may help prevent PN in LCIG recipients and whether these measures should be routine practice in patients with PD on high-dose oral levodopa.

Nonmotor fluctuations in Parkinson disease: severity and correlation with motor complications

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate frequency, severity, and correlation of nonmotor symptoms (NMS) with motor complications in fluctuating Parkinson disease (PD).

METHODS

The Multicenter NonMotor Fluctuations in PD cross-sectional study used clinical examination of 10 NMS (dysphagia, anxiety, depression, fatigue, excessive sweating, inner restlessness, pain, concentration/attention, dizziness, bladder urgency) quantified using a visual analogue scale (VAS) in motor-defined on (NMS(On)) and off state (NMS(Off)) combined with motor assessments and self-ratings at home in 100 patients with advanced PD.

RESULTS

All NMS except dysphagia, excessive sweating, and bladder urgency fluctuated in conjunction to motor fluctuations with more frequent and severe symptoms in off compared to on state. The proportions of patients experiencing autonomic/sensory NMS in both motor states were similar to those with these NMS exclusively in off state (ratios 0.4-1.3), while for mental/psychic NMS the proportions with exclusive manifestation in off state were higher (ratios 1.8-3.1). Demographic and clinical characteristics correlated neither with NMS frequency patterns and severities nor with ΔNMS(On/Off) severities (defined as the differences of VAS scores between on and off). Severities of NMS(on), NMS(Off), and ΔNMS(On/Off) did not correlate with motor function. Presence of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain had negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measured by Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 scoring independent of their occurrence with respect to motor state. Fluctuations of these NMS but not of fatigue deteriorated HRQOL.

CONCLUSION

Patterns of NMS fluctuations are heterogeneous and complex, but psychic NMS fluctuate more frequently and severely. Demographic parameters and motor function do not correlate with NMS or nonmotor fluctuation severities in fluctuating PD.

LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG: Behavioral Treatment Programs for Speech and Body Movement in Parkinson Disease

Recent advances in neuroscience have suggested that exercise-based behavioral treatments may improve function and possibly slow progression of motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). The LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) Programs for individuals with PD have been developed and researched over the past 20 years beginning with a focus on the speech motor system (LSVT LOUD) and more recently have been extended to address limb motor systems (LSVT BIG). The unique aspects of the LSVT Programs include the combination of (a) an exclusive target on increasing amplitude (loudness in the speech motor system; bigger movements in the limb motor system), (b) a focus on sensory recalibration to help patients recognize that movements with increased amplitude are within normal limits, even if they feel "too loud" or "too big," and (c) training self-cueing and attention to action to facilitate long-term maintenance of treatment outcomes. In addition, the intensive mode of delivery is consistent with principles that drive activity-dependent neuroplasticity and motor learning. The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrative discussion of the LSVT Programs including the rationale for their fundamentals, a summary of efficacy data, and a discussion of limitations and future directions for research.

In vivo comparison of Richardson's syndrome and progressive supranuclear palsy-parkinsonism

Richardson's syndrome (RS) and progressive supranuclear palsy-parkinsonism (PSP-P) are the most common subtypes of PSP. Post-mortem data suggests that the clinical presentation of the two subtypes differs especially in the first 2 years of disease and then converges. This hypothesis has, to our knowledge, never been confirmed in a living cohort. Medical history was used to define subtypes retrospectively in 23 consecutive PSP patients from our outpatient clinic specialized in movement disorders. 14 patients suffered from RS, and 9 from PSP-P. Using a prospective cross-sectional approach, clinical, cognitive, behavioral, speech and biochemical (cerebrospinal fluid tau levels) features were compared. RS patients showed shorter time from disease onset to diagnosis and more neuropsychological and neurobehavioral deficits than PSP-P patients, but differed not significantly with regard to clinical and biochemical features. RS and PSP-P show considerable symptoms overlap during the disease course when using routine assessments, with persisting differences regarding non-motor symptoms. Shorter disease duration of the comparably affected RS patients indicates that this subtype has an accelerated disease progression at early disease stages.

[Non-motor Symptoms Questionnaire and Scale for Parkinson's disease. Cross-cultural adaptation into the German language]

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisytem degenerative disorder. In addition to motor symptoms such as akinesia, rigidity and tremor, various non-motor symptoms occur, which are still insufficiently diagnosed. Moreover, the frequently used scales and scores do not adequately detect these non-motor symptoms. The Non-motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQuest) is an established self-completed patient questionnaire with 30 qualitative questions covering all important non-motor symptoms of PD. The Non-motor Symptoms Scale (NMSScale) is a grade rating scale for estimating the frequency and severity of non-motor symptoms in PD. Since there are only original English versions of both questionnaires available, self-translated versions were frequently used or the questionnaires were not used at all in native German patients. We used international guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of questionnaires to provide standard versions of both non-motor symptoms questionnaires in the German language.

Posturography reflects clinical imbalance in Parkinson's disease

Assessment of imbalance in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) usually relies on semi-quantitative ratings. Posturography has been proposed as an objective means to assess imbalance but its relationship to clinical disequilibrium is questionable. In this study static and dynamic posturography was performed in 58 patients with IPD and 29 healthy controls. In patients, posturography was related to performance in established clinical tests (pull-test and tandem gait). Posturography did not differentiate between controls and patients with impaired pull-test (IPDimb, n = 28). Patients with normal pull-test (IPDstab n = 30) had lower sway than controls in static (P = 0.042) and dynamic posturography (P = 0.001) and also differed from patients with impaired pull-test in static (P = 0.007) and dynamic (P < 0.001) conditions. In patients with side-steps in tandem gait (n = 21), sway in static and dynamic posturography was increased. Sway measures did not differentiate between patients with pull-test scores 1 and 2 or one and >1 side step in tandem-gait, respectively. Results of ANOVA showed that variance of static posturography was related to performance in tandem-gait (P < 0.0001) but not to pull-test performance (P = 0.91). In contrast, dynamic posturography was related to both, tandem-gait (P = 0.012) and pull-test (P = 0.03). Posturographic sway is increased in patients with IPD with disturbance of tandem gait and pull-test. Posturographic measures did not distinguish between different degrees of deficits in clinical tests.