How do you treat motor complications in Parkinson's disease: Medicine, surgery, or both?

Ann Neurol. 2008 Dec:64 Suppl 2:S56-64. doi: 10.1002/ana.21453.

Abstract

The motor complications associated with levodopa therapy, namely, fluctuations in motor response and dyskinesias, occur in the majority of Parkinson's disease patients. These complications can impair a patient's quality of life and even cause pronounced disability. "Off" states that result in freezing of gait and falling are disabling for many patients. Dyskinesias most commonly occur at peak dose and typically alternate with the wearing-off state. Once these problems appear, they usually persist, and the physician needs to make continual adjustments in medications to minimize these problems. Medical treatments should be attempted before treatments such as deep brain stimulation are considered because of the potential adverse effects that are associated with surgery. The timing of surgery, however, is also important because younger patients and less advanced patients tend to have a better outcome. There is thus a need for experienced and knowledgeable physicians and surgeons who are able to handle these motor complications. This review discusses available medications and surgical approaches, and their outcomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Deep Brain Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced* / drug therapy
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced* / etiology
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Parkinson Disease* / complications
  • Parkinson Disease* / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease* / surgery
  • Quality of Life
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Levodopa