Parkinson's disease and dementia

Abstract
Norepinephrine, 3-methoxy 4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol and homovanillic acid levels were similar in the locus ceruleus of 13 controls and 8 parkinsonian patients with no intellectual deterioration, but were decreased in 7 demented patients. The concentration of dopamine was similarly diminished in non-demented and demented parkinsonians, and binding of,4H-desmethylimipramine and :'H-rauwolscine was not abnormal in parkinsonians. These data indicate that norepinephrine metabolism in the locus ceruleus is subnormal only in demented parkinsonians.