Continuous dopaminergic delivery to minimize motor complications in Parkinson's disease

Motor fluctuations and dyskinesias are common sequelae of Parkinson's disease (PD) that may limit function and quality of life. With disease progression, striatal dopamine concentration becomes closely linked to plasma levodopa levels, which vary considerably with standard oral regimens. Exposure of striatal dopamine receptors to wildly fluctuating transmitter levels is thought to contribute to the development of dyskinesias and motor fluctuations. Continuous dopaminergic delivery has been shown to reduce motor complications in advanced PD patients, and has been hypothesized to prevent their incidence when given as early therapy in mild PD. In this article, the authors outline the rationale for continuous dopaminergic delivery and review clinical strategies implementing the concept, including transdermal rotigotine, subcutaneous apomorphine infusion, intraduodenal infusion of levodopa gel and the investigational oral levodopa formulation IPX066.