Press Releases

 Movement Disorder Society –  Educational  Session

  The congresses of the Movement Disorder Society have always been a platform for the discussion of   various movement disorders, with stimulating presentations on current studies and types of treatment   available. The first congress was held in 1990, and this year the Movement Disorder Society held its 11th   International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders in Istanbul (Turkey).

  The programme also offered various Opening Symposia, most of which focussed on Parkinson's disease.   One of these symposia, entitled infusion therapies and supported by Solvay Pharmaceuticals, dealt with   continuous dopaminergic stimulation in Parkinson’s disease in two different presentations.

  The infusion therapies symposium was chaired and opened by Prof Dr Murat Emre (Turkey), who   introduced the two speakers for the evening. Prof Dr Fabrizio Stocchi (Italy) spoke about the concept of   continuous dopaminergic stimulation, and Proffessor Per Odin discussed the treatment of Parkinson’s   disease with Duodopa®.

  Proffessor Fabrizio Stocchi pointed out that the continuous administration of levodopa would more closely   resemble the original physiological mechanisms in the body and so prevent the fluctuations in motor   function and dyskinesias that can result from the therapy. Duodopa have schown to have good results in   relation to the ‘off’ time and decrease in dyskinesias.

  At the end of his presentation, Proffessor Stocchi discussed the question of 24-hour administration of   levopoda. Proffessor Odin also spoke about two other potent therapies for patients with advanced   Parkinson's disease: subcutaneous administration of apomorphine and deep brain stimulation.   Comparative studies with Duodopa are not available for these treatments.

  Duodopa and apomorphine have a comparable mechanism of action, although monotherapy is more   frequently possible with Duodopa than apomorphine. Furthermore, the decision (apomorphine or Duodopa)   can be based on the possible side effects of apomorphine (nodules) and the practical clinical aspects of a   Duodopa treatment (PEG catheter, pump, infusion material).

  Duodopa and deep brain stimulation are highly effective in the treatment of motor function symptoms. As   Duodopa does not cause serious side effects (which are furthermore reversible in most cases) and given   the fact that Duodopa can be an alternative for patients who are ineligible for brain surgery, this option   should be considered before choosing deep brain stimulation. Duodopa appears to be a very potent   therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, concluded Proffessor Odin.