Drug therapy of parkinsonism.

The introduction of levodopa, 3–4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine (Larodopa, Dopar), for the treatment of Parkinson's disease was followed by prompt and enthusiastic recognition of its remarkable therapeutic action in the majority of cases. The more recent introduction of levodopa "potentiators" — i.e., the dopa decarboxylase inhibitors — has further augmented the clinical value of levodopa. It is important to note that the early studies were performed by experts who slowly and carefully individualized treatment with levodopa to maximize therapeutic benefit realized by their patients. Only if similar careful attention is given to each patient is it likely that one will reconfirm the therapeutic . . .