What Is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive, chronic, neurodegenerative
disease presenting symptoms that are related to the depletion
of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is commonly a disorder
of advanced age with the average age of onset being approximately
65 years. Estimates range from 400,000 to 1,500,000 persons
in the US who are living with Parkinson's disease and there
are approximately 60,000 new cases each year.
The total IMS sales for the Select PD Market in 2006 reached $578 million.
The four primary symptoms of the disease are:
- Tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw and face.
- Muscle rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk.
- Bradykinesia or slowness of movement.
- Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.
Secondary symptoms can include:
- Micrographia (small handwriting)
- Dysarthria (soft, muffled speech)
- Reduced arm swing on the affected side of the body.
- Short-stepped or shuffling gait
- Reduced eye blinking and frequency of swallowing
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleep disorders
- Low blood pressure
- Constipation
- Seborrhea (oily skin, dandruff)
The nature and severity of symptoms, as well as the pattern
of symptom progression over time, varies tremendously from
one individual to another. A patient recently diagnosed would
be highly unlikely to have or develop every symptom identified
above.
Parkinson's disease is not considered a "killer disease".
Treated with medication for its symptoms, it is to be feared
no more than hypertension or diabetes when they are controlled
with the appropriate medication. However, Parkinson's disease
does severely affect the individual's daily activities and
"quality of life".
Currently there is not a cure for Parkinson's disease and
treatment focuses on controlling symptoms for improved "quality
of life".
Current classes of medication used for treatment:
- Dopamine supplementation - levodopa
- Dopamine mimicry - dopamine agonists
- Inhibition of enzymatic dopamine degradation
- MAO-B inhibitors - e.g. rasagiline
- COMT inhibitors - e.g. entacapone
Teva Neuroscience is committed to improving the quality of
life of individuals living with Parkinson's disease.
References:
Parkinson's Disease: Medications; National Parkinson Foundation,
Inc.; Jean Pintar Hubble, M.D. and Richard C. Berchou, Pharm.D.;
November, 1999.
Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease: Decision Resources, Inc.;
March, 2000.
Parkinson's Disease: A Self-Help Guide; Marjan Jahanshahi,
M.D. and C. David Marsden, M.D.; DEMOS Medical Publishing,
2000.
The Management of Parkinson's Disease: - Study III; Market
Measures; August, 2000