The Concept of Continuous Dopaminergic Stimulation: What We Should Consider when Starting Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 213-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Stocchi
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Disease Treatment ◽  
Continuous Dopaminergic Stimulation ◽  
Dopaminergic Stimulation

Continuous Dopaminergic Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease - What Have We Learned from Positron-emission Tomography?

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
David J Brooks ◽  
Nicola Pavese ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor ◽  
Oxidase Inhibitor ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Continuous Dopaminergic Stimulation ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Significant Step ◽  
Dopaminergic Stimulation

The hypothesis that pulsatile stimulation of striatal dopamine receptors in Parkinson's disease (PD) induces molecular and physiological changes in basal ganglia neurons and may contribute to the development of motor complications has led to the design of therapeutic strategies that provide more continuous dopaminergic stimulation. Newer agents and drug-delivery systems, such as slow-release preparations, catechol- O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase inhibitor agents, apomorphine and Duodopa™infusions, represent a significant step towards less pulsatile dopaminergic administration. However, their efficacy in providing steady brain levels of dopaminergic stimulation in the short and longer term has not yet been proved in patients. This article briefly reviews and discusses the findings of published positron-emission tomography (PET) studies that support or oppose the value of continuous dopaminergic stimulation in PD. The potential future value of PET for proof of mechanism in this area is also debated.

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