Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
11:12
Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation
Published on: July 16, 2014
Improving symptom control in early Parkinson's disease.
Stuart H Isaacson1, Robert A Hauser
1Voluntary Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL; Director, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center of Boca Raton, Boca Raton, FL, USA isaacson@ParkinsonsCenter.org.
Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders
|December 25, 2010
Summary
Early Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment with dopaminergic therapy is crucial for maintaining quality of life. Monamine oxidase-B inhibitors are recommended as a first-line option for managing PD motor symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) involves the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, leading to motor symptoms.
- Nonmotor symptoms like depression are prevalent early in PD and impact quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline current therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease motor symptoms.
- To emphasize the importance of timely dopaminergic therapy initiation.
- To discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various PD medications.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Parkinson's disease pharmacotherapy.
- Analysis of treatment guidelines and clinical trial outcomes.
- Comparison of different dopaminergic medication classes.
Main Results:
- Dopaminergic therapy should be initiated early to preserve quality of life.
- Monamine oxidase-B inhibitors offer mild benefits with good side effect profiles, suitable for first-line treatment.
- Dopamine agonists delay levodopa-induced motor complications, particularly in younger patients.
- Levodopa is highly effective but associated with motor complications upon chronic use, with dosage adjustments and combination therapies mitigating risks.
Conclusions:
- Timely initiation of dopaminergic therapy is essential for managing Parkinson's disease.
- Medication choice should be individualized based on patient age and symptom profile.
- Combination therapies can optimize symptom control and manage treatment-related complications.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:15Parkinson'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 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...
01:11Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...
01:28Drug Therapy
The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Antianxiety Medications