Biomaterial Database

What's in the pipeline for the treatment of Parkinson's disease? 2008

David B Sommer, and Mark A Stacy

Movement Disorders Center, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3333, Durham, NC 27710, USA. david.sommer@duke.edu

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that creates a significant burden for patients, family members and society at large. Major unmet needs include effective therapies that could favorably modify the underlying pathogenetic processes in PD, and better control of motor and nonmotor symptoms in advanced-stage disease. This review examines the current state of development of potential PD therapies, including dopaminergic therapies, modulators of adenosine and glutamate receptors, cell-based therapies, genetic therapies and device-based therapies. In addition, research into potential neuroprotective agents and pipeline therapies for nonmotor symptoms of PD are summarized.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010300	Parkinson Disease	A progressive, degenerative neurologic disease characterized by a TREMOR that is maximal at rest, retropulsion (i.e. a tendency to fall backwards), rigidity, stooped posture, slowness of voluntary movements, and a masklike facial expression. Pathologic features include loss of melanin containing neurons in the substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei of the brainstem. LEWY BODIES are present in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus but may also be found in a related condition (LEWY BODY DISEASE, DIFFUSE) characterized by dementia in combination with varying degrees of parkinsonism. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1059, pp1067-75)	Idiopathic Parkinson Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson Disease,Paralysis Agitans,Primary Parkinsonism,Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson's Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body,Parkinsonism, Primary
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000978	Antiparkinson Agents	Agents used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The most commonly used drugs act on the dopaminergic system in the striatum and basal ganglia or are centrally acting muscarinic antagonists.	Antiparkinson Drugs,Antiparkinsonian Agents,Antiparkinsonians,Agents, Antiparkinson,Agents, Antiparkinsonian,Drugs, Antiparkinson
D018696	Neuroprotective Agents	Drugs intended to prevent damage to the brain or spinal cord from ischemia, stroke, convulsions, or trauma. Some must be administered before the event, but others may be effective for some time after. They act by a variety of mechanisms, but often directly or indirectly minimize the damage produced by endogenous excitatory amino acids.	Neuroprotectant,Neuroprotective Agent,Neuroprotective Drug,Neuroprotectants,Neuroprotective Drugs,Neuroprotective Effect,Neuroprotective Effects,Agent, Neuroprotective,Agents, Neuroprotective,Drug, Neuroprotective,Drugs, Neuroprotective,Effect, Neuroprotective,Effects, Neuroprotective