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