Parkinson's disease and Mucuna Magic

Approximately 200 years ago, James Parkinson had described the major symptoms of a disease that ultimately came to stand his name, i.e. Parkinson’s disease (PD). Gradually but definitely, our understanding about the disease has got enhanced, still the effective treatment for the disease has not yet been developed. PD leftovers an enormous challenge to those who suffer from it and to those concerned with its supervision. In addition to the problems common to other disabling neurological conditions, the management of PD must take into account the fact that the foundation of pharmacological treatment, levodopa, can ultimately produce dyskinesia, also called drug induced dyskinesia and motor fluctuation. Moreover, there are a number of agents besides levodopa that can help in the management of PD, and there is tempting but unverified prospect that other treatments might protect against worsening neurological disability. Moreover, in developing countries the marketed levodopa preparation is not accessed by individuals suffering from PD. Thus, a substantial amount of judgement is necessary in tailoring individual therapy and in timing treatment initiation.

Sachchida Nand Rai is a Research Scholar, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Uttar Pradesh, India. He has published several research papers in SCI and PubMed-indexed Journals and Conferences of repute. His research interests including herbal mediated neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease.