Abstract
Cellular immunity in parkinsonism was studied by lymphoblastic transformation in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and in the presence of dopamine. Decreased cellular immunity in the presence of PHA was found as previously described by Hoffman et al. in Guamian parkinson-ALS-dementia patients. Lymphoblastic transformation in the presence of dopamine was increased in 56% of 62 patients with parkinsonism but in none of 15 healthy controls. Lymphoblastic transformation in these patients in the first year of the illness did not differ from that of normal controls nor from the majority of patients not treated with L-dopa. However, lymphoblastic transformation in the presence of dopamine was increased in a high percentage of cerebrovascular patients, as well as in patients suffering from various neurological disorders. Humoral immunity in parkinsonism was studied by determination of antibody titer to tetanus booster injection and very low titers in most of the patients were found. It appears that in parkinsonian patients from Guam, as well as from other regions, there is decreased cellular and humoral immunity. L-dopa treatment may change the immunological responsiveness to the major neurotransmitter involved in this condition, and this phenomenon starts at least one year after the illness begins. In other diseases of the nervous system in which nervous tissue is destroyed some nonspecific abnormal immunological responsiveness of dopamine may be encountered.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-3+48 |
| Journal | Harefuah |
| Volume | 99 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| State | Published - 1 Dec 1980 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
