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In the National Parkinson Foundation publication "Parkinson Disease: Medications, 3d edition,2006, it states "With the use of levodopa for several years, many patients will develop fluctuating responses to the drug which can be broadly divided into "On" and "off" motor states". Under "Side Effects" it states "Several recent studies report a significantly higher rate of dyskinesia in persons who took levodopa compared to those who took the dopamine agonists drugs, ropinirole or pramipexole". In the discussion of Pramipexole and Ropinirole, it states "Studies have shown that these medications can be used in relatively early PD, and provide sufficient relief of symptoms to delay the need for the introduction of levodopa in some patients. Most Parkinson's specialists will prescribe a dopamine agonist in a newly diagnosed patient instead of levodopa, due to the decreased risk of dyskinesia". It goes on to say "Recent studies indicate that dopamine agonists may also be neuroprotective, meaning that they may prevent or delay death of dopamine producing brain cells". **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn