Dopaminergic effects on encoding of a motor memory in chronic stroke.

Author(s): Floel A, Hummel F, Breitenstein C, Knecht S, Cohen LG

Affiliation(s): National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.

Publication date & source: 2005-08-09, Neurology., 65(3):472-4.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

The effects of a single oral dose of levodopa administered in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design on formation of a motor memory were studied by a training protocol in patients with chronic stroke. Levodopa enhanced the ability of motor training to encode an elementary motor memory relative to placebo. Up-regulation of dopaminergic function may enhance motor memory formation, crucial for successful rehabilitative treatments in patients with chronic stroke.