Dramatic levodopa responsiveness of dystonia in a sporadic case of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3

Postgrad Med J. 2004 Jun;80(944):363-5. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.2003.015297.

Abstract

A genetically confirmed case of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA 3), presenting with disabling foot dystonia, peripheral neuropathy, and minimal cerebellar signs is reported. The dystonia improved dramatically with levodopa treatment in the absence of additional parkinsonian feature. A trial of levodopa for dystonia in SCA 3 may be of therapeutic benefit, at least in the initial stage of the disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Dystonic Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use*
  • Machado-Joseph Disease / diagnosis
  • Machado-Joseph Disease / drug therapy*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Levodopa