PARKINSON'S DISEASE NEWS

19th July 2009 - New research

THE EFFECT OF ADDING AGONISTS TO L-DOPA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Neural Stem International Journal of Clinical Practice [2009] 63 (4) : 613-623 (Talati R, Baker WL, Patel AA, Reinhart K, Coleman CI.) Complete abstract

Adding the use of dopamine agonists to the existing use of L-dopa has been found to reduce Parkinson's Disease symptoms, but it increases the side effects. As the effect of L-dopa tends to wear off, some patients are given dopamine agonists for an additional effect. Scores on the primary assessment of Parkinson's Disease, the UPDRS, are reduced when people added dopamine agonists to the existing use of L-dopa. They also experienced symptoms for less time, and were able to reduce their dosage of L-dopa. However, the incidence of dyskinesia and hallucinations was higher when dopamine agonists were added to the existing use of L-dopa. So the increase in efficacy was paid for with increased adverse events. Although the effect of L-dopa wears off in time, so does the effect of dopamine agonists. Dopamine agonists work by stimulating the dopamine receptors. However, continuous use of dopamine agonists makes the dopamine receptors progressively less sensitive to dopamine and dopamine agonists. For more current news go to Parkinson's Disease News.

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Parkinson's Disease News details all significant new research, news reports, new books, and new resources concerning Parkinson's Disease and those medical disorders that often coincide with Parkinson's Disease. It is compiled from an analysis of  all newly published research, news reports, new clinical trials, all newly published books, and new web sites. A summary and analysis of the new research are provided,  as well as links to the complete abstracts and news reports.