Restoring dopamine levels in Parkinson's disease: neuronal pathways, agonists and antiinflammatory agents

Abstract Parkinson's disease is highly disabling, affecting the quality of life not only of individuals suffering from the disorder but also of their relatives. Current treatments consist of symptom reduction without permanent reversal of dopaminergic deficit, and trigger several side effects. Although most studies involving Parkinson's disease examined the preventive effect of different treatments, some studies with immunomodulatory and neuroregenerative compounds provide evidence of dopaminergic repopulation after cell loss in animal models. This chapter reviews current drugs used to reestablish dopamine levels in patients with Parkinson's disease, as well as promising antiinflammatory therapies together with neuroregeneration of dopaminergic neurons.