Key Points
- Parkinson disease is a growing neurodegenerative movement disorder primarily affecting older adults.
- New treatments, such as istradefylline, have been approved to manage motor symptoms effectively.
- A subcutaneous pump delivering dopaminergic agents offers a new option for patients with severe symptoms.
- While treatments improve quality of life, there is currently no intervention to alter the progression of Parkinson disease.
Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder that is increasing in prevalence especially as the population continues to age. This article provides an overview of the clinical presentation and evaluation for PD, genetic and environmental risk factors, and current treatments. New treatments for motor symptoms of PD (eg, motor fluctuations, extending "on time"), including istradefylline and opicapone, have been approved. A subcutaneous pump to provide dopaminergic agents to patients is now available. Additionally, skin biopsy staining for α-synuclein has become a viable option for patients with diagnostic uncertainty of synucleinopathy. PD is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative movement disorder with many potential presentations. Both motor and nonmotor symptoms are present during the disease course, and symptomatic medication and advanced surgical techniques have the potential to improve quality of life. Patients living with PD may manifest improvement in symptoms and quality of life from behavioral, pharmacologic, and surgical interventions. There remains no clear intervention to modify the progression of PD.
Cite This Study
Rawls et al. (2025) studied this question.