Is there any treatment?
Treatment of Parkinson's is a very complicated process. The main drug for Parkinson's is levodopa. Levodopa is a very affective drug at first, however, patients who have taken Levodopa for 2 to 5 years will notice that serious problems may develop. For example, patients may notice their symp­toms become worse before you are due to take their dose. Side effects of the drug include abnormal jerking movements (known as Dyskinesias) and a movement problem causing the body to twist into awkward positions. Sometimes a doctor might start a patient on a different drug such as Eldepryl. Other times they may pre­scribe rescue levodopa to be taken when symptoms start to get bad. When levodopa starts to wear off, the doctor may increase the dosage or prescribe a levodopa enhancing drug known as entcapone which stops levodopa being broken down as the body gets used to it, allowing more to reach the brain.

What Research is being done?
As with all diseases, money is poured into research for a cure using medication. Parkinson's is no exception. There is also research into the development of symptom-controlling drugs. There is also two types of surgical treatment.

I. Pallidotomy- Used in the 1940's, Pallidotomy is under re-evaluation. This procedure involves destroying certain parts of the brain tissue using heated wires. This combats such symptoms as trembling.

2. The alternative is to insert a 'brain pacemaker'. This is a wire inserted in one side of the brain and runs to a stimulator. The stimulator is turned on during the day and off at night. This controls the tremor on the side of the body opposite the implant.

If you are at the GPs, it is always a good idea to ask your doctor for advice or information as well as surfing the internet.

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