A number of levodopa-based strategies may improve the management of motor complications in Parkinson's disease

摘要

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegen-erative disorder involving loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal system that affects =1% of people aged >60 years. It is characterized by the common motor symptoms bradykinesia, tremor and rigidity.Motor symptoms are predominant features of PD, although non-motor symptoms, such as neuropsychiatric problems, auto-nomic dysfunction and sleep disorders, are increasingly recognized. Progressive deficiency of endogenous dopamine leads to postural instability, with disruptions to gait and balance seen in advanced PD. The resulting fluctuating motor performance is an important cause of impaired health-related quality of life (HR-QOL).