Eltoprazine Parkinson's disease Levadopa-Induce
Post# of 30028
Parkinson's disease Levadopa-Induced Dyskinesia
Parkinson's Symptoms
The primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremors or shaking, stiff and aching muscles, limited movement and instability when standing or walking.
Levodopa
Levodopa is the most frequently-prescribed medication for Parkinson's disease. However, long-term use of this drug tends to cause increasing problems with dyskinesia, particularly when higher doses are needed to control Parkinson's symptoms.
At least 4 million people worldwide have Parkinson's disease and 35% exhibit symptoms of LID after 3 or more years of treatment with Levodopa. In addition to LID, 35-50% of PD patients exhibit cognitive dysfunction and 60% exhibit psychiatric disorders, including depression.
The potential market opportunity for a drug that could treat LID exceeds $750M annually in the United States alone. With the population aging and average age of diagnosis being 58-62 years, the market growth is significant (2-3%/yr).
Dyskinesia effects are difficult to treat, so Parkinson's patients usually do not begin levodopa therapy until other drugs, such as dopamine agonists, no longer can control symptoms. Levodopa dosage is kept as low as possible.