The Parkinson Disease Treatment Landscape: Alberto J. Espay, MD, MSc

WATCH TIME: 2 minutes

“The symptomatic therapies are those that are meant to harness the power of, usually, magnifying deficiencies in certain neurotransmitters. Dopamine deficiency is one where there is much to be developed and improved on, and, in fact, novel levodopa formulations are among the best types of interventions to bring forth in terms of symptomatic therapies.”

Physicians who specialize in the treatment of movement disorders, particularly Parkinson disease (PD), levodopa has maintained its place as a major player in care, operating as a gold standard for therapeutic intervention. Although, the therapy has its limitations, including in administration and efficacy with long-term use.

Still, Levodopa offers an option for patients to control their motor symptoms. Despite the existence of this gold-standard treatment, patients with PD still face a number of nonmotor challenges, though, including cognitive issues, psychosis, and autonomic issues, among others. Alberto J. Espay, MD, MSc, professor of neurology, director, James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center, and research chair, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, University of Cincinnati Health, explained the current state of care for these issues in a conversation with NeurologyLive.