Drug treatment of Parkinson's disease: current concepts.
The cause of Parkinson's Disease remains unknown although environmental toxin/s and ageing are likely to play a significant role. Experimental 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine induced parkinsonism can be prevented by monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. Monoamine oxidase B inhibitors have been shown to delay disease progression in early Parkinson's Disease and improve mortality. Symptomatic therapy remains the cornerstone of drug treatment, and should include levodopa replacement with concomitant dopamine agonist therapy in order to achieve maximum efficacy, and reduce side effects. Complicated Parkinson's Disease could be managed by better delivery systems like slow release preparations and parenteral infusions. Brain tissue transplants may offer hope of restoring the damaged nigrostriatal system.
Chong
P N
PN
Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007980:Levodopa