NEW PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PARKINSONS-DISEASE REVEALED BY POSTEROVENTRAL PALLIDOTOMY

Since the failure of levodopa therapy to maintain long-term symptom re lief in Parkinson's disease, posteroventral pallidotomy has seen a dra matic increase in use and interest. It has significantly reduced both the akinetic and hyperkinetic symptoms of Parkinson's disease while re quiring most patients to maintain preoperative levodopa doses. Here we review the clinical results of over 300 posteroventral pallidotomies and pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease in relationship to differen t neurotransmitters and medical therapy.