Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
23:53
Ole Isacson: Development of New Therapies for Parkinson's Disease
Published on: April 28, 2007
Drugs in development for Parkinson's disease
Tom H Johnston1, Jonathan M Brotchie
1Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs (London, England : 2000)
|August 10, 2004
Summary
New pharmacological treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD) offer hope. Novel therapies target dopamine, enzymes, and non-dopaminergic pathways, alongside neuroprotective agents to slow disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment is evolving with novel therapeutic strategies.
- Current research focuses on diverse molecular targets to manage PD symptoms and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging pharmacological treatments for Parkinson's disease.
- To highlight novel agents targeting dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic pathways, and neuroprotection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ongoing and developmental pharmacological treatments for PD.
- Categorization of agents based on their mechanism of action (e.g., enzyme inhibitors, receptor agonists/antagonists, neuroprotective agents).
Main Results:
- Development of novel L-dopa derivatives (etilevodopa, melevodopa) and enzyme inhibitors (e.g., MAO-B, COMT inhibitors).
- Advancement in dopamine agonists, including new formulations like transdermal patches (rotigotine).
- Emergence of non-dopaminergic treatments targeting alpha2 adrenergic, adenosine A2A, AMPA, and serotonergic receptors, plus neuroprotective agents.
Conclusions:
- The pharmacological landscape for Parkinson's disease is expanding with diverse therapeutic options.
- Future treatments aim to provide comprehensive management, addressing motor symptoms, dyskinesia, and neurodegeneration.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase, which converts...
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
01:24Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of which...
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...