Slowing down or stopping the process of neurodegeneration
remains one of the most important goals of current Parkinson’s research. Considerable study is being undertaken to
better understand the underlying disease mechanism, and to determine why the
reduction in dopamine-producing brain cells occurs.
Up until recently anti-Parkinson’s therapies were primarily
focussed on improving symptoms of Parkinson’s. However, new insights into the
causes and progression of the illness have led to the development of
disease-modifying agents that may affect the natural progression of the
condition. The hope is that specific
medicines can be developed to change some of the processes leading to cell
death and so protect the remaining neurons.
These medicines fall largely into the following categories:
