Question

Which of the following represents a current therapy for Parkinson's disease?

1) stereotaxically guided destruction of the internal division of the globus pallidus
2) administration of an immune factor against β-amyloid
3) administration of amphetamine or cocaine
4) stereotaxically guided destruction of the internal division of the primary motor cortex
5) administration of haloperidol

Answer 1

The administration of L-DOPA is a current therapy for Parkinson's disease that works by increasing dopamine levels in the striatum, helping mitigate the symptoms of the disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The current therapy for Parkinson's disease that represents an increase in striatal dopamine levels is the administration of the amino acid L-DOPA, as none of the other options listed directly aim to increase dopamine in the striatum.

L-DOPA, a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine, can cross the blood-brain barrier and is converted by neurons into dopamine, compensating to some extent for the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.

This treatment is widely used, although it may become less effective over time and is associated with the risk of increased dopamine levels elsewhere in the brain, potentially leading to psychosis or schizophrenia.