Antiparkinson
Antiparkinson
Antiparkinson (pronunciation: an-tee-par-kin-son) refers to a group of medications used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. These drugs are designed to manage the symptoms of the disease, such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).
Etymology
The term "Antiparkinson" is derived from the name of the disease it treats, Parkinson's disease, which was named after Dr. James Parkinson, who first described the condition in 1817. The prefix "anti-" comes from the Greek word "anti" meaning "against", indicating the drugs' function against the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Types of Antiparkinson Drugs
There are several types of antiparkinson drugs, including:
- Levodopa: This is the most commonly prescribed medication for Parkinson's disease. It is converted into dopamine in the brain, helping to replenish the low levels of dopamine in Parkinson's patients.
- Dopamine agonists: These drugs mimic the role of dopamine in the brain, stimulating the dopamine receptors to reduce symptoms.
- MAO-B inhibitors: These drugs slow the breakdown of dopamine in the brain, prolonging the effects of dopamine.
- COMT inhibitors: These drugs are often used in combination with levodopa to prolong its effects.
- Anticholinergics: These drugs are used to help control the tremor associated with Parkinson's disease.
Related Terms
- Parkinson's disease: A neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra.
- Dopamine: A type of neurotransmitter, which is a substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse.
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse.
- Synapse: The junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antiparkinson
- Wikipedia's article - Antiparkinson
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