Current approaches to the treatment of Parkinson's disease

• Published in: Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 743 - 757
• Main Authors: Jankovic, Joseph, Aguilar, L Giselle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Taylor & Francis Ltd 01-08-2008; Dove Press; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: deep brain stimulation; levodopa; medical treatment; pallidotomy; Parkinson's disease; Review; medical treatment; levodopa; Parkinson’s disease; deep brain stimulation; pallidotomy
• ISSN: 1176-6328; 1176-6328; 1178-2021
• DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s2006

Enormous progress has been made in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). As a result of advances in experimental therapeutics, many promising therapies for PD are emerging. Levodopa remains the most potent drug for controlling PD symptoms, yet is associated with significant complications such as the "wearing off" effect, levodopa-induced dyskinesias and other motor complications. Catechol-o-methyl-transferase inhibitors, dopamine agonists and nondopaminergic therapy are alternative modalities in the management of PD and may be used concomitantly with levodopa or one another. The neurosurgical treatment, focusing on deep brain stimulation, is reviewed briefly. Although this review has attempted to highlight the most recent advances in the treatment of PD, it is important to note that new treatments are not necessarily better than the established conventional therapy and that the treatment options must be individualized and tailored to the needs of each individual patient.