Summary

The purpose of this section was to present an overview of pharmaceutical agents and surgical strategies used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. To date, there is no medication or surgical treatment that will 'cure' Parkinson's disease nor any agent that can prevent or slow the progression of the disease.

Today, levodopa remains the most effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, though it almost always is prescribed along with carbidopa, which inhibits peripheral production of dopamine and enhances the absorption of levodopa into the brain. However, levodopa tends to be associated with the development of dyskinesia in patients as the disease progresses and/or the dose of l-dopa is increased.

Other medicinal agents are also prescribed instead of, or in association with, levodopa. Dopamine agonists are recommended for newly diagnosed patients as well as younger patients.

Various surgeries involving the destruction of small areas of the brain, deep brain simulation by implanted electrodes, and transplant of fetal cells are increasingly being used to treat later-stage symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Innovative gene therapies are also being researched, some with potential benefit.

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