Effect of L-dopa on the seborrhoea of Parkinsonism

Abstract

By studying the sebum excretion rate in patients with Parkinsonism before and during treatment with L‐dopa we have shown that L‐dopa reduces sebum excretion if seborrhoea is initially present, but has no effect on normal sebum excretion rates. The seborrhoea of Parkinsonism may be due to increased production of melanocyte‐stimulating hormone, and our finding may have therapeutic implications in Parkinsonism and breast cancer.