Parkinsonism in alcohol withdrawal: a follow-up study

Mov Disord. 1990;5(1):36-9. doi: 10.1002/mds.870050109.

Abstract

Transient parkinsonism associated with alcohol intake and withdrawal has previously been described. We followed-up three patients with acute alcohol withdrawal-induced parkinsonism 9-11 years after their initial presentation. None showed any evidence of parkinsonism at follow-up. This suggests that withdrawal-induced parkinsonism is caused by a completely reversible abnormality in nigrostriatal dopamine transmission, which is unaccompanied by underlying nigral degeneration, as we had previously hypothesized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Alcoholism / complications*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / etiology*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / physiopathology*