Efficacy of istradefylline on advanced Parkinson disease patients with mild motor disability during ON–period

Abstract

Istradefylline improves motor symptoms and reduces OFF–time in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuation. However, it is not known exactly who are appropriate target patients for istradefylline therapy. In the present study, we evaluated efficacy of istradefylline on Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuation and mild motor disability during ON–period. Fourteen Parkinson's disease patients with less than 16 of UPDRS part 3 score during ON–period completed an open label trial of 20mg/day istradefylline for 8 weeks. The istradefylline treatment significantly improved UPDRS part 3 score during ON–period and shortened daily OFF–time. Questionnaire for the patients revealed a high satisfaction level for the istradefylline treatment. Parkinson disease patients with mild motor disability during ON–period could be good candidates for istradefylline therapy.