[Levodopa for Parkinson's disease: What have we learned?].
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. Dopamine deficit is the cornerstone of its clinical manifestations. Levodopa, the main treatment for this condition, was first used for PD more than 40 years ago and today it still is the most powerful treatment for this disease. In recent years many advances have been made for understanding of the neurochemical mechanisms of this drug. Furthermore, new insights about the genesis of motor complications secondary to its use are known, specially related with the mode of its administration. This article updates the pharmacology of levodopa and its implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of PD. The new available presentations of levodopa are also reviewed. The implications of these advances for the treatment of this disease are commented.
Juri C
Carlos
C
Departamento de Neurología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. cjuri@puc.cl
Chaná C
Pedro
P
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002677:Chile; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa