title: Problems and unanswered questions concerning levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: The main problems in long-term treatment of Parkinson's disease with levodopa are: 1. progressive decline in efficacy; 2. psychiatric complications; 3. the development of motor fluctuations. These are discussed, and important unanswered questions addressed, including when levodopa therapy should be started and at what dose; whether levodopa is in fact harmful in any way; what is the pharmacological role of O-methyl-dopa, present in such high concentrations; and the best management of motor fluctuations.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Clinical Neurology, National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, London, Great Britain.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hardie
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa