How should we treat a patient with early Parkinson's disease?

• Published in: International journal of clinical practice (Esher) Vol. 64; no. 9; pp. 1210 - 1219
• Main Authors: Tsouli, S., Konitsiotis, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2010; Wiley-Blackwell; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Antiparkinson Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Dopamine Agonists - therapeutic use; Drug therapy; Food-Drug Interactions; General aspects; Humans; Medical sciences; Medical treatment; Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Motor ability; Neurology; Neurotransmitters; Organic mental disorders. Neuropsychology; Parkinson Disease - drug therapy; Parkinsons disease; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Human; Medicine; Nervous system diseases; Treatment; Central nervous system disease; Parkinson disease; Patient; Early stage; Degenerative disease; Cerebral disorder; Extrapyramidal syndrome
• ISSN: 1368-5031; 1742-1241
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02371.x

Summary Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterised by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic nigro‐striatal neurons and severe striatal dopaminergic deficiency, leading to bradykinesia. Levodopa was the first drug used for PD treatment and is still considered the most useful weapon for the control of PD symptoms. However, levodopa treatment induces motor complications, which is considered as a major problem as the disease progresses. Dopamine agonists, catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitors and monoamine oxidase B inhibitors are some more recently developed drug categories which are expected to have a more favourable effect on motor complications. The choice of the best initial treatment in PD remains a controversial matter. Early therapeutic decisions in PD should balance the need for efficient short‐term symptom control against long‐term complication profile. The individualisation of the treatment seems to be the key for the best approach of early PD patients.