Dopamine/L-dopa ratio in cerebrospinal fluid of parkinsonian patients treated with L-dopa + benserazide.

The CSF dopamine/L-dopa ratio was examined in 14 parkinsonian and six control patients. In parkinsonian patients the dopamine/L-dopa ratio showed significant correlation with the severity of the disease, as characterized by Yahr's scale. These data suggest some correlation between the dopamine synthesizing capacity and the degree of disability.