"The first study is proof of principle blocking the dopamine transporter," Nutt said. "Now the question is, would Ritalin be the drug to do that? That's not clear."
The paroxetine study was conducted on 14 people with varying severity of Parkinson's disease. Each was given two-hour levodopa infusions; some also received paroxetine for two weeks while the rest were given a placebo. The subjects were then scored for tapping rate, tremor and dyskinesia, as well as walking speed.
Paroxetine, when given with levodopa, didn't affect tapping, dyskinesia or tremor, according to the findings. In fact, six people reported worse balance while on paroxetine.
Nutt's Ritalin study collaborators were Julie H. Carter, R.N., A.N.P., associate professor of neurology, OHSU School of Medicine, and associate director of the Parkinson center; and Gary J. Sexton, Ph.D., associate professor of public health and preventive medicine, OHSU School of Medicine. Paroxetine study collaborators were Kathryn A. Chung, M.D., assistant professor of neurology, OHSU School of Medicine and the Parkinson center, and PADRECC, Portland VA Medical Center.
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Contact: Jonathan Modie
modiej@ohsu.edu
503-494-8231
Oregon Health & Science University
6-May-2004