Future strategies for neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease.

The development of a drug or combination of drugs to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's disease is the most important goal in this disease area. An understanding of the complex etiology and pathogenesis of the disorder is essential in this process. However, the current pathways to disease pathogenesis identified from the genetic causes of Parkinson's disease offer optimism in the sense that they appear to converge and interconnect rather than diverge. Problems include the limited applicability of current models and the ability to test drugs at the right dose in clinical trials with suitable end points. Trials conducted so far have provided some indication of a positive effect, although the mechanism underlying this is not yet known.