Short communication, Note

Parkinson’s Disease – Challenges in New Drug Development

Tomislav Babić
Darija Mahović

Abstract

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease.
Treatment aims in IPD include the provision of symptomatic relief, reduction of functional disability, halting or
slowing of the neurodegenerative process, and the prevention of long-term complications by proper initiation of therapy.
At present, pharmacotherapeutic strategies allow the amelioration of motor symptoms of IPD only, whereas non-motor
manifestations are not helped by dopamine replacement strategies. In addition, levodopa-induced fluctuation and dyskinesia
are still challenging, particularly in long-term treatment. Despite advances in pharmacotherapy that have improved
quality of life for these patients, the mortality rate remains largely unchanged. Sustained interest in IPD will
hopefully allow increased funding of research to develop new and better treatments.

Keywords

Parkinson’s disease; therapy; levodopa; dopamine agonists

Hrčak ID:

34443

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/34443

Publication date:

1.12.2008.

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