What are the latest treatment options for Parkinson’s disease?

In this article below, distinguished consultant neurologist, Dr Claudio Ruffmann, discusses Parkinson’s disease at length, including the newest treatment options for the condition.

How has knowledge about Parkinson’s disease advanced over recent years?

Knowledge regarding Parkinson’s disease has advanced exponentially over recent years. This is because multiple avenues of research have been opened, ranging from diagnosis and causes to management and treatment options of the condition. 

Parkinson’s disease was first described over 200 years ago, so since then, we have now come to a point where we know a lot thanks to the developments in research. I think our understanding the molecular mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease has greatly improved, and we have better adapted our understanding of what the patient with Parkinson’s disease is experiencing.

What are the latest treatment options for Parkinson’s disease?

We have had a game-changing medication for 50 years now, called levodopa. It has been so effective that it has been quite difficult to find a replicate since. However, we have made advancements when it comes to managing the condition. The non-oral treatments (including deep brain stimulation) for Parkinson’s have been fine-tuned a lot. We really try to keep dopamine as stable as possible. We can do this by developing new molecules.

What are those involved in Parkinson’s research currently investigating?

One of the things they are looking at is why a very specific part of the brain and specific part of nerve cells are involved in the degeneration, and why these cells die and others don't. Finding the answer to this would allow us to develop a specific treatment for this.

Another area that we are researching is a potential cure for Parkinson’s disease. Two of the important areas in this include stem-cell research (replacing lost cells) and immunotherapy.

Is the rate of Parkinson’s disease on the rise? If so, why?

This is a debated question. The risk of Parkinson’s disease increases with age. We have become much more aware of the condition recently, so we can now diagnose it earlier and easier. I think an increasing prevalence of the disease can be contributed to an increasing age of our population.

What does the future of Parkinson’s treatment look like?

I think the future of treatment for Parkinson’s will be based mainly on the concept of tailoring treatment to the individual’s needs. There is a wide age range, so someone in their 30s will have very different needs compared to someone with the condition in their 60s or 70s.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr Claudio Ruffmann, simply visit his Top Doctors profile today.