Why has it taken so long to improve levodopa – AKA L-dopa – delivery so that Parkinson’s patients can experience the drug’s benefit in a more continuous fashion?
In the latest Portland Countdown podcast, regular hosts Dave Iverson and Jon Palfreman invite special guest Dr Angela Cenci Nilsson to discuss how the landscape has changed since levodopa, or ‘dopamine-replacement’ therapy, was first developed 50 years ago – and today’s prospects for what was the first major breakthrough in Parkinson’s treatments.
While it’s undoubtedly a life-changing help for patients, levodopa isn’t a cure. The podcast explores why it has taken so long to improve its effectiveness or to develop the next breakthrough treatment. The panel also discuss the challenges of convincing big pharmaceutical companies to invest in these types of treatments.
The aim of the Portland Countdown series is to give listeners new perspectives on the latest advances in Parkinson’s research and treatment.
The shows, developed by the World Parkinson Coalition, are aired online on the first Tuesday of every month from June 2015 to September 2016 – when the 4th World Parkinson Congress takes place in Portland, Oregon, US. The podcasts are free and available for download.
The full schedule of show topics and guest speaker profiles is available here