The discovery 50 years ago of the spectacular efficacy of L-DOPA has revolutionized the treatment of Parkinson disease (PD), and indeed all modern Clinical Pharmacology. However, within a few years, PD patients on chronic L-DOPA therapy almost inevitably face disabling periods of reduced benefit, known as motor and non-motor “fluctuations” 1. In 2016, adequate management…
Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel in advanced Parkinson’s disease: Final 12-month, open-label results
Motor complications in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are associated with long-term oral levodopa treatment and linked to pulsatile dopaminergic stimulation. L-dopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is delivered continuously by percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy tube (PEG-J), which reduces L-dopa-plasma–level fluctuations and can translate to reduced motor complications. We present final results of the largest international, prospective, 54-week, open-label LCIG study…
EuroInf: A Multicenter Comparative Observational Study of Apomorphine and Levodopa Infusion in Parkinson’s Disease
Subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (Apo) and intrajejunal levodopa infusion (IJLI) are two treatment options for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) and refractory motor complications, with varying cost of treatment. There are no multicenter studies comparing the effects of the two strategies. This open-label, prospective, observational, 6-month, multicenter study compared…
Randomized Trial of Safinamide Add-On to Levo dopa in Parkinson’s Disease With Motor Fluctuations
Levodopa is effective for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but is associated with motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. Many patients require add-on therapy to improve motor fluctuations without exacerbating dyskinesia. The objective of this Phase III, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of safinamide…
Long-term safety and efficacy of preladenant in subjects with fluctuating Parkinson’s disease
Preladenant is a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist under investigation for Parkinson’s disease treatment.
Adenosine A2A receptor antagonist istradefylline reduces daily OFF time in Parkinson’s disease
We evaluated the efficacy and safety of istradefylline, a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist administered as adjunctive treatment to levodopa for 12 weeks in a double-blind manner in Parkinson’s disease patients with motor complications in Japan.