This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Andrew M. Michelakis, PhD, MD; David Robertson

JAMA. 1970;213(1):83-85.

Abstract
The effect of posture and levodopa therapy on plasma renin activity (PRA) was studied in patients with Parkinson's disease. The PRA was measured with the patient supine and upright before and during levodopa administration. Prior to therapy the mean values with the patients supine and upright were significantly lower than those of normal subjects. While they were receiving levodopa, the mean PRA when the patients were supine remained low while the mean value when the patients were upright became normal. There was an exaggerated response of PRA to upright posture with levodopa therapy. Possible relationship of these findings to the underlying mechanisms of Parkinson's disease and its treatment are discussed.

Author Affiliations
From the departments of medicine and pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Robertson is a Vanderbilt University medical student.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn 37203 (Dr. Michelakis).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Plasma Renin Activity During Levodopa Therapy: Significance of Long- and Short-Term Treatment
Sullivan et al.
JAMA 1973;224:1726-1729.
ABSTRACT  

Autonomic Deficits in Parkinson's Syndrome
Appenzeller and Goss
Arch Neurol 1971;24:50-57.
ABSTRACT