Treatments: Amantadine (Symmetrel)

How it Works:

Amantadine is a recent addition to available treatments against Parkinson's Disease, and very little is known its biological mechanism. It was originally prescribed as an antiviral agent, but it was soon noticed to decrease Parkinson's Disease symptoms. There is speculation that it blocks NMDA receptors and prevents cell death caused by excitotoxicity (death of cells by over-stimulation) of those receptors and their cells, or that it may block acetylcholine. What researchers are sure of is that amantadine treatment causes an increase in the amount of dopamine released by each neuron. How it does this is as yet unknown, but it has been observed to improve all symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. This drug is often prescribed early in the course of the disease, since it has a greater effect when there are more dopamine-producing cells available for it to act on. In some patients, amantadine may become less effective over a period of a few weeks or months.

Side Effects:

• Spotting of skin

  Swelling of feet

  Confusion

  Hallucinations

Information from:

Parkinson's Disease at Harvard

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