Question

Maeve has Parkinson's with marked bradykinesia which has not been

well-controlled with medications typically prescribed for mild
Parkinson's. What medication might help her?

Answer 1

Maeve may benefit from L-DOPA, which is a precursor to dopamine and helps to compensate for neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease, although it may have diminishing efficacy and potential side effects over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

Maeve, who has Parkinson's disease with significant bradykinesia unresponsive to mild Parkinson's medications, may benefit from a medication that increases dopamine levels in the brain. Since typical medications have proven ineffective, a common choice in such cases is L-DOPA. L-DOPA is a precursor to dopamine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and is then converted into dopamine by neurons in the brain. The administration of L-DOPA can help to compensate for the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, thus helping to alleviate Parkinson's symptoms. However, it is important to note that response to L-DOPA treatment can decrease over time and may come with side effects like increased dopamine levels that could lead to psychosis or schizophrenia-like symptoms.