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... ned, however, that they could greatly reduce dose levels - and thus cut down on side effects - by giving levodopa in conjunction with a substance that slows its breakdown in the body. Sinemet, a combination of levodopa and the inhibiting substance carbidopa, has been available since 1975. Treatments must be fine-tuned to suit individual patients depending on their symptoms and stage of disease (Tactics, Toronto Star). For most Parkinsons disease patients, the levodopa / carbidopa page 4 cocktail still stands as the single, most effective therapy available.
Most patients benefit from it: some moderately and some with striking relief from their symptoms - at least for several years. There are a few other drugs available that are also prescribed. Symmetrel, which was originally an anti-flu medication, is thought to block or reuptake dopamine by neurons, or it increases the release of dopamine by neurons, thereby increasing the supply of dopamine in the synapses. When its benefits seem to lessen, stopping the drug for a short time and then reintroducing it seems to provide help once again, according to some clinicians. Tremors can be controlled by prescribing anticholinergic's, which act to decrease the activity of the balancing neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Older patients may not be able to take these drugs because they tend to cause confusion and hallucination.
Selegiline or diphenyl have been shown to delay the need for sinemet when prescribed in the earliest stages of Parkinsons disease, and they have also been approved for use in later stages to boost the effects of Sinemet. COMT inhibitors such as tol capone and entacapone, represent a new class of Parkinsons medications. These drugs must be taken with levodopa so they prolong the duration of symptom relief by blocking the action of an enzyme which can break down levodopa before it reaches the brain. Like the symptoms of Parkinsons disease itself, the side effects of drugs vary from patient to patient. They may include dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, drowsiness, insomnia, and other unwelcome symptoms. Some patients experience no side effects from a drug, while others have to discontinue its use because of them.
When drugs arent working, theres still surgery. The most common procedures are palliodotomys, in which the surgeon drills through the skull and destroys selected brain cells, and deep brain stimulation, in which electrodes are implanted in the thalamus and connected to a pacemaker-like device. In a palliodotomy, there is a possibility of stroke, partial loss of vision, speech and swallowing difficulties, and confusion. There arent many risks with deep brain stimulation. New, controversial forms of surgery, called brain tissue implants, are still in experimental, however, promising results leave researchers hopeful that this surgery will provide a long-lasting treatment for the disease. Jim Finn, a recipient of the disease, has had Parkinsons disease for twenty years.
Three years ago, at age fifty-one, doctors diagnosed him as end stage - they could do nothing more for him. Thats when Finns doctor approached him about an experimental new treatment in which surgeons would implant millions of fetal pig cells into the brains of Parkinsons patients. Without hesitation, Finn agreed to the surgery (Sinha & Zang, pp. 77 - 81). Finn describes the procedure as going through a drive-thru: Buy some burgers, get some surgery. The whole surgery actually takes only two-and-a-half hours. Also, patients can be awake the whole time from the use of local anesthesia.
The doctors inject the fetal pig cells through an injection syringe guided by a halo-shaped frame bolted to the head. Originally, surgeons used aborted human fetuses to harvest the cells which are needed, but many considered this unethical. Researchers realized these obstacles early on, and so focused on using fetal pig cells instead. The results have been amazing: Finn can now walk with out his cane, write his name, and cut his pork chops into bite-size pieces. Nowadays, he gives speeches to medical professionals and support groups about his successful surgery. Im a commodity now.
Pork bellies, I think they call it, he jokes. In reality, Parkinsons disease may not be such a burden as we think. The Medicine being prescribed is getting better. There are even surgeries to help out those who are at end stage like Finn. Many people think soon we will find the real cause for this dreadful disease, thus finding a cure. We should all care about this disease, because it could affect you or someone you know.
Unfortunately, there are still only a small amount of resources available. I think this is due in part that little is known still, however more is known than the past. Lack of research funds and grants to facilities also plays a major factor. I wish I could have written more about the history of Parkinsons, but it was very difficult finding what I have. Also, I would have liked to have written more about Jim Finn and his results from the surgery.
It is truly amazing what we can do today with technology. Maybe since geneticists have mapped the human genome this past year, researcher will be able to use that information to help find a cure. Michael J. Fox, who has been in hit TV shows Family Ties and Spin City, has recently been lobbying congress to fund more money for researchers. He has been battling Parkinsons for many years. This disease affects about one-and-a-half million Americans, but currently gets a pitiful amount of funding compared to what other causes get.
We should be fighting for a cure since it affects so many people. But we must remember, there is life after Parkinsons; patients will go one with their lives with a cure or not. It just would be nice to find that needle in the hay stack. (please e-mail me, ashley, to give me your opinion on my term paper. Bibliography: BIBLIOGRAPHY Meadows, Bob, War of Nerves, People, (January 11, 1999) pp. 117 - 118, 120.
Sinha, Gunjan and Zang, Matt, Treating Parkinsons: On the Road to Recovery, Popular Science, (October 1, 1999), Vol. 255, pp. 77 - 81. Takes, Marianne, Yes, there most definitely is life after Parkinsons, The Toronto Star, (June 24, 2000). The NINCDS Reasearch Program, July 14, 1980, pp. 1 - 2, 8. , Internet, December, 2000. , Internet, December, 2000.
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Research essay sample on Parkinsons Disease Side Effects
