Neuroprotective therapy in Parkinson disease

Am J Ther. 2006 Sep-Oct;13(5):445-57. doi: 10.1097/01.mjt.0000174353.28012.a7.

Abstract

During the past decade, there has been a remarkable progress in our understanding of the biology of Parkinson disease (PD), which has been translated into searching for novel therapy for PD. Much focus is shifted from the development of drugs that only relieve PD symptoms to new generation of remedies that can potentially protect dopaminergic neurons and modify the disease course. Several novel therapeutic approaches have been tested in preclinical experiments and in clinical trials, including molecules targeting on genes involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, neurotrophic factors critical for dopaminergic neuron survival and function, new generation of dopamine receptor agonists that may possess neuroprotective effects, and agents of antioxidation, antiinflammation, and antiapoptosis. The results of these studies will shed new light to our hope that PD can be cured in the future.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Dopamine Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Monoamine Oxidase / metabolism
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Nerve Growth Factors / therapeutic use
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology

Substances

  • Dopamine Agents
  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Monoamine Oxidase