title: Progress in understanding and treating Parkinson's disease.
abstract: This review evaluates the long-term results of Levodopa therapy in Parkinson's disease upon quality of life, prolongation of survival and excess mortality. It also focuses on recent and new therapeutic approaches: Levodopa in combindation with a Dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor or MAO-B inhibitor, dopamine agonists and an active tripeptide: L-prolyl-L-leucylglycine amide (MIF-I). It ends by looking at new avenues of etiological research in Parkinson's disease which may indicate specific accelerated ageing of catecholaminergic (pigmented) neuronal systems.
mesh_terms: D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010891:Piribedil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D010455:Peptides; D010627:Phenethylamines; D007980:Levodopa; D010891:Piribedil