While no cure for Parkinson’s disease currently exists, several new treatments are now becoming available to patients.
Such encouraging advancements offer hope to those living with the disease, who experience not only Parkinson’s signature symptoms, like tremors, rigidity, movement difficulties and impaired balance, but also cognitive decline, social isolation, depression and insomnia.
Innovations in Therapy
After recent federal approvals, treatments for advanced Parkinson’s disease now include two infusion-based treatments designed to provide continuous relief from symptoms.
The subcutaneous apomorphine infusion system is expected to become available this spring. It delivers medication beneath the skin and is targeted to treat motor fluctuation in adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease.
It follows the only subcutaneous 24-hour infusion levodopa and carbidopa treatment for adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease that was approved in late 2023. Levodopa addresses dopamine loss, while carbidopa lessens side effects.
Additionally, a new oral treatment, an extended-release carbidopa-levodopa, was approved by the FDA last fall to reduce off time in Parkinson’s disease, offering patients another option. These innovations represent a shift toward more consistent, around the clock symptom control.
Smart Stimulators Drive Individualized Treatment Forward
In conjunction with infusion therapies, the FDA has approved a new deep brain stimulation system.
The device uses adaptive technology to respond in real time to a patient’s neural activity. Implanted neurostimulators deliver precise stimulation, offering more personalized care. Use of this technology marks a significant leap in how Parkinson’s can be managed surgically.
Policy Support for Patient Access
Advances in treatment signal important steps toward fewer symptoms and more satisfying lives for those living with the disease and those who love them. Both are worth celebrating.
It’s also an opportune time to remind payers and policymakers of the critical role they play in ensuring that patients can access the full range of FDA-approved options. These new therapies reflect meaningful progress in Parkinson’s care; every patient deserves the opportunity to recognize the benefits of these scientific strides.
