Parkinson's disease – progression slowed
A new drug called ropinirole slows the loss of nerve function in early Parkinson's disease by a third compared with the best current treatment. The joint study between the MRC’s Clinical Sciences Centre and Imperial College also found that, although progression of nerve function loss was slower in patients taking the new drug, Parkinson’s symptoms remained better controlled in patients taking L-dopa, the standard treatment. Further research to assess the long-term health benefits of one treatment over the other is under way.
Annals of Neurology 2003; 54: 93-101