Obstructive sleep apnea in Parkinson’s disease patients: effect of Sinemet CR taken at bedtime

Abstract

Bedtime Sinemet CR appears to reduce OSA in PD patients. There were no significant differences between groups in the first half of the night likely because of residual effects of short-acting levodopa in both groups, while Sinemet CR had residual effect in the second half. These results possibly provide an alternative to help manage OSA and improve sleep quality in PD patients.

Obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP therapy and Parkinson's disease motor function: A longitudinal study

“…Motor dysfunction in PD can also affect upper airway musculature, and levodopa can influence upper airway obstruction [16]. We recently reported that long-acting levodopa use at night was associated with reduced OSA severity in PD [17]. Moreover, pharyngeal muscles in PD patients show atrophic changes and increased neural degeneration when compared to controls [18].…”

Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease

“…There has been growing interest in alternative treatment modalities for OSA. Gros et al reported improvements of OSA in PD patients with Sinemet CR 25/100, one to two tablets administered at bedtime (108). This finding possibly suggests that UAO are responsive to levodopa and are involved both in OSA and in PD pathophysiology.…”

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Current Evidence in Support of Benefit from Sleep Apnea Treatment

“…PD-related upper airway dysfunction can contribute to a sleep-associated decrease in upper airway dilator activity and stability, further predisposing to OSA. Supporting that hypothesis, our group recently reported that night-time treatment with long acting levodopa was associated with reduced OSA severity in PD patients [144]. Additionally, as a disease progresses, motor disability and rigidity become more prominent and significantly impair mobility.…”

“…Upper airway obstruction can also respond to levodopa [139][140][141][142][143]. Supporting this hypothesis, our group found that night-time treatment with long acting levodopa was associated with reduced OSA severity in PD patients, suggesting it could be a potential alternative to PAP therapy [144]. Prospective studies to better understand the effect and the role of long-acting levodopa in OSA treatment are needed.…”