Delegates Debate Parkinson’s in Mezzogiorno
31 July 2007
The Holiday Inn in Castel Volturno, just outside Naples, Italy, was the setting for Solvay's second International Forum on Advanced Parkinson's Disease. More than 180 people from all over Europe and also Canada attended to talk about the current state of knowledge and debate the best strategy for treating Parkinson's disease sufferers.
The event was supported and opened by the European Parkinson's Disease Association. Incoming President Stephen Pickard spoke of the good progress the EPDA is making on getting signatories to its Global Declaration on Parkinson's disease.
In first session, Leslie Findley (UK), who stepped in at the last minute for Ray Chaudhuri (UK), and Werner Poewe (Austria) locked horns on the best time to start treatment for Parkinson's, and for what symptoms: motor or non-motor. Next, Erik Wolters (the Netherlands) and Alexander Storch (Germany) examined deep brain stimulation, which has excellent results but only in a limited subset of patients. Newer developments – particularly Duodopa – promise equally effective results with less patient exclusion issues.
After lunch, Eduardo Tolosa (Spain) and Donald Grosset (UK) generated debate on the pros and cons of two mainstays of Parkinson's treatment: levodopa and dopamine agonists. More screening for complications, particularly behavioural side effects, is recommended.
Completing the day were Maral Mouradian (USA) and Angelo Antonini (Italy), presenting in turn the most current thinking about pharmacokinetics of levodopa and novel modes of administration. Continuous levodopa infusion into the duodenum reduces the dopamine peaks in the brain and helps reduce dyskinesias, improving quality of life.
A coach journey to Naples, including a rather tricky slalom up through the congested winding streets to the restaurant to see the dusk fall on the beautiful panoramic bay, rounded off a very enjoyable and educational day.
The forum, organized by Dr Clÿudio Sandner, received excellent feed-back from all the participants and brought up plenty of stimulating discussions. Many delegates commented on the quality and good balance of the sessions. Subsequent feedback from Parkinson's nurses suggested that this event contributed much to the understanding of Duodopa and its role in advanced Parkinson's disease.
