What Causes Motor Complications Of Parkinson’s Treatment? MIT Study Identifies Genes Linked To Key Side Effect; Work Signals New Approaches

People with Parkinson’s disease commonly suffer a slowing or freezing of movement caused by the death of neurons that make dopamine, a key chemical that allows brain cells to send and receive messages essential to voluntary movements. Patients regain the ability to move, seemingly miraculously, by taking L-DOPA or related drugs that mimic the missing dopamine. After a few years on L-DOPA, however, most patients again lose motor control - but in an opposite way.

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Filed under: Parkinson's Disease on February 2nd, 2009