L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine treatment for gait apraxia in parkinsonian patients.

L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS) was administered to six parkinsonian patients for the treatment of gait related akinesia which was refractile to L-DOPA treatment. One responded with marked improvement and one with only mild improvement. Although number of patients who respond markedly to this noradrenaline precursor, L-DOPS, is limited, L-DOPS was felt to be the most effective treatment modality for L-DOPA refractile gait related akinesia and L-DOPA related orthostatic hypotension.