Neurology
Parkinson's Disease
May 2003
Clinical Focus*
- What are the results of neuroimaging studies or other diagnostic tests in determining the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD)?
- What are the results of L-dopa challenge in PD? What are the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of this test for diagnosing PD?
- What is the efficacy of medication used to treat early PD? What is the efficacy of initial treatment with L-dopa vs. a dopamine agonist?
- What is the evidence for neuroprotection with selegiline, Vitamin E, or Vitamin C?
- What is the efficacy of medication used to treat late PD? What is the efficacy of medication used to treat patients who have an insufficient response to L-dopa? What are the outcomes of treatment of medication-induced side effects?
- What are the outcomes of treatment for patients who experience motor fluctuations and/or dyskinesias while taking L-dopa?
- What serious adverse events are associated with medications used to treat PD?
- What are the outcomes of treatment of PD patients with psychotic symptoms or nonpsychotic behavioral and psychological dysfunction?
- When is surgery performed on PD patients? What types of surgeries are performed and what are their outcomes?
- What are the outcomes of rehabilitation in PD?
- What are the results of recent review articles regarding genetic testing in PD?
- What is the evidence that PD patients are treated differently or have different outcomes based on the following: age, presentation of symptoms, cognitive status, duration of illness, comorbidities, gender, race, ethnicity, or income level?
*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Summary (Publication No. 03-E039, May 2003)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 03-E040, May 2003)
(PDF Files; File Download)
EPC: MetaWorks, Inc.
Topic Nominator: American Academy of Neurology
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