Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Ole Isacson: Development of New Therapies for Parkinson's Disease
Published on: April 29, 2007
Pramipexole in the treatment of Parkinson's disease: new developments
J Carsten Möller1, Wolfgang H Oertel
1Department of Neurology, Philipps-University, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039 Marburg, Germany. moellerc@staff.uni-marburg.de
Abstract:
The nonergot dopamine agonist pramipexole is an efficient and safe drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Clinicians may favor pramipexole over other dopamine agonists because of its suggested higher tolerability with respect to peripheral dopaminergic side effects. Importantly, nonergot dopamine agonists such as pramipexole may not cause restrictive valvular heart disease and may therefore represent the first choice in patients with valvular lesions under treatment with ergot dopamine agonists. However, particular caution has to be exercised in younger Parkinson's disease patients with a shorter disease duration regarding the occurrence of sudden onset of sleep. In light of cost-effectiveness and quality-of-life issues, its final significance for the initial treatment of patients with early Parkinson's disease remains to be determined.
Related Concept Videos
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
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: Overview
Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
