Effects of daily L-dopa administration on learning and brain structure in older adults undergoing cognitive training: a randomised clinical trial

Sixty-three healthy older adults were randomly assigned to receive either L-dopa (100/25 mg) or placebo while undergoing cognitive training focused on spatial and verbal fluid intelligence.

Participants aged 65-75 years received either L-dopa/benserazide or a placebo before each cognitive training session, conducted over four weeks.

L-dopa supplementation resulted in less improvement in spatial intelligence compared to placebo and did not enhance cognitive performance. The adverse effects on cognition raise concerns for the use of L-dopa in healthy older adults.

Lack of additional control groups and possible cumulative effects of L-dopa due to the rapid absorption of the drug; not all cognitive measures showed statistically significant effects.