Effect of L-dopa on dementia-related rigidity

Abstract
‐ L‐dopa 100 mg plus benserazide 25 mg versus placebo were given 3 times daily to 14 consecutive patients with dementia and rigidity. The treatment was crossed over to the alternative therapy after a 7‐day period. Despite a mean 60% raise in CSF‐HVA during L‐dopa administration, no patient responded to the treatment. These data suggest that dementia‐associated rigidity differs, at least, pharmachologically from parkinsonian rigidity.