Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Ole Isacson: Development of New Therapies for Parkinson's Disease
Published on: April 28, 2007
[Dopaminergic agonists in the treatment of Parkinson's disease]
F Supiot1, J Sternon, D Zegers de Beyl
1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Erasme.
Abstract:
After levodopa, dopaminergic agonists are the most powerful agents in idiopathic Parkinson's disease treatment. Used in monotherapy or rather in early combination with levodopa, they allow a dramatic reduction of long-term motor side effects of the latter: onset and peak-dose dyskinesias, early morning dystonias. Their gastro-intestinal (nauseas) and moreover psychiatric (confusion and hallucinations) side effects limit their use, notably in geriatric populations. Superiority of so-called "second generation" agonists (ropinirole, pramipexole) on "first generation" agonists (bromocriptine, pergolide) remains to be proved.
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