| CDP-choline, an intermediate in the phospholipid metabolic pathway
supposed to improve the functionality of the dopamine (DA) system,
was administered to parkinsonian patients in a double-blind cross-
over study versus placebo. All patients were already treated with L-
dopa + dopa decarboxylase inhibitor. Clinical evaluations were
carried out using the Webster Rating Scale (WRS), the Northwestern
University Disability Scale (NUDS) and a semiquantitative rating
scale for tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia. CDP-choline treatment
showed a significant improvement of rigidity and bradykinesia and a
less important amelioration of tremor. NUDS and WRS showed a similar
positive result. Comparing the results obtained by placebo, we found
that the actual clinical efficacy of CDP-choline regards mainly
bradykinesia and rigidity (23 and 33% improvement, respectively). The
positive effect of CDP-choline on parkinsonian patients already
treated with L-dopa + dopa decarboxylase inhibitor stands for a
possible action on the DA receptor through an activation of the
phospholipid metabolism.
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