Improvement of sleep hypopnea by antiparkinsonian drugs in a patient with Parkinson's disease: a polysomnographic study

Intern Med. 2003 Nov;42(11):1135-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.42.1135.

Abstract

An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of bradykinesia, muscle rigidity and respiratory dysfunction during sleep. Concerning bradykinesia and muscle rigidity, we diagnosed him as the early/moderate stage of Parkinson's disease without autonomic dysfunction. Polysomnography (PSG) showed a series of obstructive hypopneas and apneas. After administration of antiparkinsonian drugs, rigidity of the neck and trunk was diminished along with a drastic decrease in hypopnea on PSG. We consider that sleep hypopnea in this patient is caused by involvement of the striated musculature surrounding the upper-airway and/or rigidity in the trunk. These conditions are treatable with antiparkinsonian drugs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benserazide / therapeutic use
  • Cabergoline
  • Ergolines / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Polysomnography*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / etiology*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Ergolines
  • Levodopa
  • Benserazide
  • Cabergoline