Pathogenetic factors in Parkinson disease and novel experimental therapies

Abstract

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the denervation of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Its cardinal symptoms are rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia. The gold-standard treatment for PD is the administration of levodopa, but no approved treatment can stop the progression of PD. Thus, the development of new therapeutics based on the pathogenesis of PD is needed. In this study, we review the pathogenetic factors of PD to achieve a better understanding of the disease and novel experimental therapies based on recently obtained knowledge regarding its pathogenesis. This could allow us to explore new therapeutic targets and treatments for PD.