title: Parkinson's disease in the elderly: current management strategies.
abstract: Parkinson's disease generally responds well to dopaminergic therapy, but there is no unanimity concerning the optimal time for introducing dopaminergic medication. Dose-related side effects of these drugs may respond to a drug holiday, and fluctuations in response to levodopa may sometimes be helped by addition of bromocriptine to the drug regimen. Anticholinergic drugs, tricyclic compounds, and amantadine may sometimes lead to benefit, but any antiparkinsonian effect is often disappointing. Mental side effects may occur with all of the antiparkinsonian drugs, particularly the anticholinergic agents, and especially in the elderly.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000547:Amantadine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012642:Selegiline / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D012642:Selegiline; D001971:Bromocriptine; D007980:Levodopa; D000547:Amantadine