Research achievements: better drug treatments

Our research has pioneered new drugs that, alongside levodopa, can provide greater relief from the symptoms of Parkinson's.

This has benefited hundreds of thousands of people with Parkinson's around the world.

Image: Fotolia

Find out more:

• Levodopa - not the complete answer
• Selegiline - boosting the benefits of levodopa
• Apomorphine - a rescue remedy
• A personal perspective on apomorphine

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Professor Andrew Lees explains how developments in drugs and treatments are helping people living with Parkinson's today - Listen here 

Levodopa - not the complete answer

Levodopa first became available in the 1960s and is still the most commonly used drug for Parkinson's.

It can dramatically improve many of the troublesome symptoms and help people lead relatively normal lives.

However, as time goes on, some people find that levodopa starts to lose its effect and can give rise to problems including:

• unwanted involuntary movements called dyskinesias
• suddenly becoming 'frozen' to the spot and unable to move
• abrupt variations in the control of symptoms - known as on/off fluctuations

Research we funded has shown that using other drugs including selegiline and apomorphine with levodopa can help it work better for longer.

Find out more about levodopa

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Selegiline - boosting the benefits of levodopa

In 1977, researchers funded by Parkinson's UK set up one of the first UK clinical trials of the new drug selegiline. They tested it in a small group of people experiencing problems with their levodopa treatment.

"We were one of the first research groups to show that for some people, selegiline can make each dose of levodopa last longer.

"Today, this combined treatment is widely prescribed to control the symptoms of Parkinson's for longer and minimise the side effects of levodopa."

Professor Andrew Lees,
Consultant Neurologist

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Apomorphine - a rescue remedy

In 1988, we funded a new trial of apomorphine for people with Parkinson's experiencing disabling movement problems.

Many people found that taking apomorphine in combination with levodopa provided striking improvements in their symptoms.

"Because apomorphine is injected, it works more quickly than tablets. This rapid effect means that people now have better control over debilitating symptoms of the condition for much longer.

"Apomorphine can also be given directly under the skin. This constant infusion helps to overcome the fluctuations associated with their levodopa.

"To date, apomorphine has helped many thousands of people manage their disabling symptoms and regain their independence."

Dr Jeremy Playfer,
Retired consultant geriatrician

Find out more about apomorphine in our apomorphine (APO-go) information sheet.

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A personal perspective on apomorphine

"Levodopa worked really well for me for about 20 years. But all that changed a few years ago.

"My tremor became worse and my whole body would shake uncontrollably. I was finding it more and more difficult to do simple tasks such as buttoning my shirt or tying my shoelaces. Walking was a struggle. Without warning, my feet would feel glued to the ground. I would be helpless and unable to take another step for minutes.

"My specialist said that the levodopa tablets were no longer controlling my symptoms. So he put me on apomorphine as well.

"I now have a special pump on a belt around my waist which slowly releases apomorphine into my body 24 hours a day. I have my life back again and can do the things I enjoy like playing chess and gardening."

Bill has been living with Parkinson's for 27 years

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In this section

• Research achievements
• Our research impact in 2011
• Results of our Parkinson's research
• Unravelling the causes
• More than a movement disorder
• Changing clinical practice
• Better drug treatments
• Hopes for a cure

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