Pathogenesis and current therapeutic approaches for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly, characterized by a spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms. Motor symptoms, including resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability, typically emerge as the predominant clinical features in advanced stages, signifying irreversible neurodegenerative changes. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and timely intervention are crucial for improving prognosis and quality of life in patients with PD. Treatment options for PD remain a hot topic within the medical community. Pharmacotherapeutic approaches have expanded beyond traditional agents such as levodopa, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and dopamine agonists to include novel drugs, including α-synuclein misfolding inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, which have demonstrated promising efficacy. Surgical interventions, particularly deep brain stimulation, continue to play a pivotal role in symptom management and are widely applied in clinical practice. Recent advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of PD have catalyzed the development of innovative treatment strategies. Emerging therapies, including gene therapy and stem cell therapy, offer transformative potential by addressing the underlying disease mechanisms. These therapies hold distinct advantages, such as controlling the pathological progression of PD, restoring damaged brain function, and minimizing treatment-associated adverse effects, positioning them as promising candidates for future standard-of-care approaches. This review summarizes the latest research progress in the understanding of PD pathogenesis and treatment, aiming to provide guidance for the clinical management of PD.