Welcome to the Parkinson’s Disease Knowledge Centre, which aim's to provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with the latest, most up-to-date information regarding Parkinson’s Disease and its management.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and their axons. The death of these neurons results in a disruption of communication between the basal ganglia, thalamus and cortex, the consequence of which is impaired motor function.1
It is important that patients with PD are treated as soon as a full diagnosis has been made, however the treatment approach for PD varies depending on the stage of the person with the disease. The main pharmacological options contain Levodopa (including Levodopa infusions), dopamine agonists and MAO-B inhibitors.
There are a number of management guidelines available to assist HCPs to accurately identify and manage the disease. In early PD, management strategies tend to revolve around providing the patient with effective symptomatic treatment to improve motor symptoms. In advanced stages, the aim is to reduce non-motor and motor symptoms while controlling fluctuations between on and off periods.
Most treatment strategies for PD today aim to achieve continuous dopaminergic stimulation (CDS).
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Reference:
1. Samii A, Nutt JG, Ransom BR. Parkinson’s disease. Lancet 2004; 363: 1783 – 1793.