Science, medicine, and the future: Parkinson's disease

Science, medicine, and the future Parkinson's disease How neurones die in Parkinson's diseaseSome biochemical abnormalities have been identified in the affected brain region in Parkinson's disease that provide clues to how genetic or environmental factors may induce cell death.There is much evidence of increased oxidative stress and free radical damage in Predicted developmentsResearch into the causes of Parkinson's disease are likely to show that multiple genetic and environmental factors are involved Disease of early onset is more likely to be genetic Modifying the use of drugs already available will improve control of symptoms New drugs acting on both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic transmitter systems will become available over the next 10 years Clinical trials of new drugs with neuroprotective and neurorescue properties are in progress