treatments of PD

Question 1

what are some first-line treatments for PD?

Answer 1

first line treatments focus on medications to increase dopamine in the brain.

Levodopa (L-Dopa) = the precursor of dopamine.
works by crossing the blood brain barrier (which dopamine itself cannot do) and is turned into dopamine inside the brain.

is most effective but can have some serious side effects due to increasing dopamine levels all over the body.

often taken with carbidopa.

Question 2

what is a dopamine agonatist?

Answer 2

substances that bind to dopamine receptors and mimic the actions of dopamine.

Question 3

How do MAO-B and COMT inhibitors work to reduce PD symptoms?

Answer 3

These drugs are inhibitors of enzymes that breakdown dopamine.

taking these helps to reduce dopamine breakdown, increasing dopamine levels= reducing PD symptoms.

Question 4

what surgery can help PD?

Answer 4

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) works by a neurostimular being inserted into the brain which sends electrical impulses into specific parts of the brain.

this device controls brain activity to reduce symptoms.