title: Neuroprotection in Parkinson disease.
abstract: Treatment of Parkinson disease has improved dramatically over the past quarter of a century and promising therapies are emerging. Although treatment with levodopa results in marked symptomatic improvement, mortality rates of the disease have remained relatively unchanged. Recent findings of abnormal protein folding, coupled with oxidative stress, provide scientific rationale for novel therapeutic strategies designed to slow disease progression. To be effective, these disease-modifying and neuroprotective therapies must be instituted early in the course of the disease and early diagnosis therefore is critical. Consequently, primary care physicians will play an increasingly important role in early institution of such neuroprotective strategies. This review is designed to highlight some of the recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and to draw attention to the importance of early recognition and implementation of the new therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Simpkins
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jankovic
mesh_terms: D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents