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Abstract #4456

Levodopa Differentially Modulates Subcortical Activity in Parkinsons Disease During Self-Initiated Internally Timed Movements Compared to Movements Following a Cued Period.

Jolyn NA D'Andrea1, Angela Haffenden2, Sarah Furtado2, Oksana Suchowersky2,3, Bradley G. Goodyear, 2,4

1Medical Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; 2Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 3Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 4Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada


Parkinsons patients have difficulty performing self-initiated movements. Levodopa can reduce this functional deficit by focusing brain activity to areas necessary for task performance. The current study investigates how levodopa modulates brain activity in Parkinsons patients during the performance of internally timed motor tasks, with and without a preceding cue. Our results show that levodopa has a differential effect on the involvement of ipsilateral basal ganglia and thalamus depending on whether internally driven movements are self-initiated or initiated by a cue. This has practical implications for helping Parkinsons patients cope with behavioral deficits, and could impact future pharmacological interventions.