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Parkinson’s disease – should treatment begin at the very first sign?
Treatments are available that can alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease but, up to now, there has been no way of slowing down the progress of this condition. However, an existing drug currently used only in the later stages of the disease appears to slow down the development of the disease if it is used earlier on. This could be the start of an important breakthrough.
In a country such as France, around 150,000 people are affected by Parkinson’s disease. The condition manifests itself in a slowing down of movement, muscular stiffness, trembling while at rest, but also in rheumatic-type pain, the onset of symptoms of depression and a loss of facial movement. When these signs become disabling, medical treatment is prescribed.
However, this approach can perhaps be questioned. A study by a team of French researchers in collaboration with the United States and Israel, has demonstrated the beneficial effects of anti-Parkinson drugs on the evolution of the disease … if used early on. In a group of 1,200 patients studied, half were treated for 18 months from as soon as the symptoms appeared, while the other half were treated only nine months later. At the end of the study, the first group showed better results, with a lesser degree of disablement… which is a good reason to go and see your doctor at the first sign of any symptoms.
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