 |
 |
COMT inhibition: a new treatment strategy for Parkinson's disease. During the initial stages of Parkinson's disease, treatment with levodopa plus a decarboxylase inhibitor (carbidopa [Sinemet]or benserazide [Madopar][Prolopa]) provides adequate control of symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, the clinical response to treatment often begins to fluctuate, becoming increasingly correlated with fluctuations in plasma concentrations of levodopa-the "wearing-off" phenomenon. Many strategies have attempted, with various degrees of success, to increase the availability of levodopa and its active metabolites, thus reducing these fluctuations in response. This review focuses on the role of the new catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors tolcapone and entacapone as adjuncts to levodopa therapy. These agents act effectively and safely to increase the amount of levodopa that is available to enter the brain by extending the half-life of levodopa, resulting in more stable levels in the plasma and prolonging "on" time. Neurology 1998 May;50(5 Suppl 5):S3-14 Kurth MC, Adler CH. Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA. PMID: 9591516 janet paterson: an akinetic rigid subtype, albeit primarily perky, parky pd: 56-41-37 cd: 56-44-43 tel: 613-256-8340 email: [log in to unmask] my newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newvoicenews/ my website: http://www.geocities.com/janet313/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn