Which symptom of Parkinson's disease is most likely to respond to carbidopa-levodopa therapy?

Which symptom of Parkinson's disease is most likely to respond to carbidopa-levodopa therapy?

• A. Tremor at rest
• B. Rigidity
• C. Freezing of gait
• D. Postural instability

Answer: (A)

Levodopa replenishes brain dopamine, countering the dopaminergic deficit in the basal ganglia that drives Parkinsonian motor symptoms. By restoringdopaminergic signaling, it most reliably improves motor control, especially the tremor that occurs at rest. Resting tremor tends to respond well to dopamine replacement, making it the symptom most likely to show improvement with this therapy. Other features like freezing of gait and postural instability are less consistently responsive and may require additional approaches, though rigidity also improves with levodopa as part of the overall motor benefit. The carbidopa component helps more levodopa reach the brain and reduces peripheral side effects, enhancing the therapy’s effectiveness.

Levodopa replenishes brain dopamine, countering the dopaminergic deficit in the basal ganglia that drives Parkinsonian motor symptoms. By restoringdopaminergic signaling, it most reliably improves motor control, especially the tremor that occurs at rest. Resting tremor tends to respond well to dopamine replacement, making it the symptom most likely to show improvement with this therapy. Other features like freezing of gait and postural instability are less consistently responsive and may require additional approaches, though rigidity also improves with levodopa as part of the overall motor benefit. The carbidopa component helps more levodopa reach the brain and reduces peripheral side effects, enhancing the therapy’s effectiveness.