Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders | Antiparkinson Drugs

Definition

Antiparkinson drugs are medicines used to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Purpose

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. In PD, cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die off. The normal function of these cells is to regulate the action of other cells in other brain regions by releasing a chemical called dopamine. When substantia nigra cells release dopamine, the dopamine attaches to dopamine receptors on the other cells, which influences them in various ways depending on the specific type of cell. The actions of these cells work in concert with other systems that influence movement. When all cells are working properly together, the end result is controlled, fluid movement.

When substantia nigra cells die off, however, as they do in...