Ron Tintner1, Joseph Jankovic. 1. Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, 6550 Fannin #1801, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Clinical trials designed to assess the safety and efficacy of novel neuroprotective as well as symptomatic medical and surgical strategies are being performed to increase and enhance treatment options. The purpose of this review is to summarize these therapeutic options, emphasizing reports published in the last year. RECENT FINDINGS: Experimental therapeutics in Parkinson's disease has focused on prevention of levodopa complications, treatment of dyskinesias associated with levodopa therapy, surgical intervention and neuroprotection. SUMMARY: There are at least four important implications of the recent therapeutic trials: (1) the incidence of levodopa-related dyskinesias decreases as a result of initial use of dopamine agonists; (2) surgery, primarily in the form of the bilateral, high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus, is highly effective in patients who are responsive to levodopa but experience marked motor fluctuation or other complications; (3) while neuroprotection has not yet been demonstrated with any currently used therapeutic agent, improved understanding of mechanisms of cell death will undoubtedly result in the discovery of new drugs with potential disease-modifying effects; and (4) implantation of fetal mesencephalon tissue and other grafts may be effective in younger patients with Parkinson's disease, but is associated with significant complications and remains experimental.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Clinical trials designed to assess the safety and efficacy of novel neuroprotective as well as symptomatic medical and surgical strategies are being performed to increase and enhance treatment options. The purpose of this review is to summarize these therapeutic options, emphasizing reports published in the last year. RECENT FINDINGS: Experimental therapeutics in Parkinson's disease has focused on prevention of levodopa complications, treatment of dyskinesias associated with levodopa therapy, surgical intervention and neuroprotection. SUMMARY: There are at least four important implications of the recent therapeutic trials: (1) the incidence of levodopa-related dyskinesias decreases as a result of initial use of dopamine agonists; (2) surgery, primarily in the form of the bilateral, high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus, is highly effective in patients who are responsive to levodopa but experience marked motor fluctuation or other complications; (3) while neuroprotection has not yet been demonstrated with any currently used therapeutic agent, improved understanding of mechanisms of cell death will undoubtedly result in the discovery of new drugs with potential disease-modifying effects; and (4) implantation of fetal mesencephalon tissue and other grafts may be effective in younger patients with Parkinson's disease, but is associated with significant complications and remains experimental.
Authors: Christopher Bishop; David M Krolewski; Karen L Eskow; Christopher J Barnum; Kristin B Dupre; Terrence Deak; Paul D Walker Journal: J Neurosci Res Date: 2009-05-15 Impact factor: 4.164
Authors: Richard L Jayaraj; Namasivayam Elangovan; Krishnan Manigandan; Sonu Singh; Shubha Shukla Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2014-06-17 Impact factor: 3.411