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Parkinson's disease
How is it treated?
Drug treatment is aimed at restoring the imbalance in neurotransmission (the way messages are passed between different parts of the brain) caused by the lack of Dopamine. Dopamine interacts with various other neurotransmitters and manipulating these chemicals can limit the symptoms. Various approaches are used. Drugs which reduce the amount of another neurotransmitter called acetyl choline can produce mild relief of symptoms. The most effective treatment is directed at increasing the amount of dopamine available by various means. These include: using drugs such as Co-caryldopa (Sinemet®), Co-benyldopa (Madopar®) which increase the dopamine in the brain; using drugs such as Entacapone, Tolcapone, Selegeline and Rasagiline which interfere with the disposal of dopamine and thereby increase the levels of dopamine; and using drugs such as Ropinirole, Cabergoline and Pramipexole which mimic dopamine and "fool" the brain into thinking they are Dopamine (called dopamine agonists).
These drugs have varying degrees of efficacy and they all have side effects. If they are prescribed wisely under the supervision of a specialist, they can significantly ameliorate the symptoms of Parkinson's and give many years of satisfactory life.
Parkinson's people will need drugs for life and it is very important that this should be managed properly as long term use of drugs could lead to problems such as increasing side effects, erratic control and unpredictable variations in efficacy. These need to be anticipated and carefully managed.
Much more work is needed to help improve the treatment offered to people with Parkinson's.
What are the causes?
| Young onset parkinson's disease 
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