[Early treatment of Parkinson's disease with levodopa].
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia. The current treatment, for example with levodopa or dopamine-agonists, is complicated by response fluctuations, dyskinesias and gastro-intestinal side-effects. These, and various other reasons including fear of levodopa toxicity, have led to reluctance in starting medical treatment in PD. Especially during the last decade it has become clear that there is no scientific substrate for this reluctance. The aim should be to minimize the restraints in daily activity caused by PD, where medications including levodopa and dopamine-agonists have proven to be effective.
Academisch Medisch Centrum/Universiteit van Amsterdam, afd. Neurologie, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. v.j.odekerken@amc.uva.nl
Vincent J J
VJ
Odekerken
Bart
B
Post
Constant V M
CV
Verschuur
Rob M A
RM
de Bie
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa