NEW OPTIONS FOR TREATMENT OF PARKINSONS-DISEASE

New medications recently developed for treating Parkinson's disease in clude two inhibitors of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), entacapon e and tolcapone, which, by decreasing the elimination of levodopa, ext end the duration of its effects. Increased 'on' rime and less 'wearing -off' symptomatology can be expected with the use of these COMT inhibi tors. Two non-ergot dopaminergic agonists (pramipexole and ropinirole) and a long-acting ergoline (cabergoline) are also being introduced. T hese dopaminergic agonists, like the ergot derivatives currently avail able (bromocriptine, lisuride, and pergolide), are useful as adjuncts to levodopa, and are also efficacious as monotherapies.