New Hope for Parkinson's Disease

The search is still on for a cure, but new drugs and treatment approaches are making a big difference for people with Parkinson’s disease. “We’re much further along in understanding this disease,” says neurologist Peter Barbour, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “Patients are living longer and better, functioning well for up to 20 years.”

People with Parkinson’s disease produce too little dopamine, a brain chemical involved in muscle control. The symptoms, which gradually worsen, include hand tremors, stiffness, speech problems and difficulty walking.

The cornerstone of treatment since the 1960s has been L-dopa, a drug that’s converted to dopamine in the brain. “The problem with L-dopa is that its effects may wear off between doses and side effects may increase over time,” Barbour says.

There are two new types of medications to counter that problem. Dopamine extenders keep L-dopa active longer in the brain. Dopamine agonists, which mimic L-dopa, can be used on their own early in treatment. They can also be used in combination with L-dopa later to stave off ill effects such as the excess movements (dyskinesia) L-dopa can cause.

The other current treatment options are surgical. Traditional pallidotomy relieves dyskinesia by destroying a tiny area of brain tissue. In a new procedure (not yet widely available) called deep brain stimulation, a thin wire implanted in the brain connects to a pacemaker-like device that stops the tremors and other related symptoms.

Looking into the future, Parkinson’s specialists are among those most excited about the potential of stem cell research. “These primitive cells have the potential to become nerve cells that could be implanted into the brain to produce dopamine,” Barbour says. “Taking stem cells from embryos is controversial, but taking them from other sources—for example, bone marrow—could be a more acceptable option.” Researchers also are exploring the possibility of treating Parkinson’s with chemicals that stimulate nerve cell growth and protective agents to prevent dopamine-producing cells from dying.

Want to Know More about resources for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families? Call 610-402-CARE.

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