title: Advances in dopamine receptor agonists for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dopamine agonists (DA) are a class of agents which directly stimulate dopamine receptors mimicking the endogenous neurotransmitter dopamine. At first used as adjunctive therapy in the advanced phases of the disease, over the years a significant role was found for DA monotherapy as a first approach in the initial stage of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several reviews have already reported efficacy and safety of DA in PD and differences between DA and levodopa. Therefore the objective of this review is to gather recent updates in DA therapy. A thorough knowledge of recent literature evidences, would help clinician in the management of treatment with DA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our review investigates recent updates on DA therapy, the role of these compounds in controlling non-motor symptoms (NMS) as well as new formulations under clinical evaluation and newly emerged post-marketing safety considerations. A literature search has been performed using Medline and reviewing the bibliographies of selected articles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DA represents a very important option in the treatment of PD, even though there are still some criticisms and unmet needs. A better knowledge of dopamine receptors could lead to identification of new compounds able to better balance clinical efficacy and side effects.
authors: a Department of Neurology, Institute for research and medical care , IRCCS San Raffaele Roma , Roma , Italy.
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Stocchi
authors: a Department of Neurology, Institute for research and medical care , IRCCS San Raffaele Roma , Roma , Italy.
authors: Margherita
authors: M
authors: Torti
authors: a Department of Neurology, Institute for research and medical care , IRCCS San Raffaele Roma , Roma , Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Fossati
mesh_terms: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D007980:Levodopa
keywords: Dopamine agonists; Parkinson’s disease; apomorphine; dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome; extended release; heart failure; impulse control disorder; non-motor symptoms; pramipexole; ropinirole; rotigotine