ABSTRACT
Parkinsonism results from hypofunction of the dopaminergic system originating at the substantia nigra. Its severity correlates with the neurodegenerative process. Pharmacological restoration of dopaminergic input to the striatum ameliorates the motor symptoms associated with parkinsonism and is the mainstay for effective symptomatic therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Over the last decade, there have been significant achievements in this field. New drugs have been introduced and neurosurgical interventions have been renovated and reintroduced as potential treatment for selected patients. The combination of effective symptomatic drugs, modern functional intervention and careful use of the two gives patients the opportunity to function reasonably well with good quality of life for 10-20 years after the diagnosis is made.
