LEVODOPA AND THE FUTURE OF PARKINSON’S RESEARCH

Tremors, issues with balance, and slowness are just some of the trademark symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is caused by a loss of critical neurons in the brain that use dopamine to communicate. That’s where levodopa comes in — as a way to replenish that dopamine and improve motor function in people with PD.

In the early days of levodopa research, scientists were unsuccessful in using the drug as a treatment for people with PD. But thanks to the work of Dr. George C. Cotzias many years ago ― and the generosity of APDA supporters who helped fund his work ― levodopa became (and continues to be) a critical tool in PD symptom management for countless men and women living with the disorder.

His contributions to PD research have made an incredible impact on countless lives, and in his honor, APDA created the Dr. George C. Cotzias Memorial Fellowship ― a three-year grant awarded to a young physician-scientist with exceptional promise. Since Dr. Cotzias’ landmark discovery in the 1960s, APDA has been proud to support 30 researchers with this fellowship. The PD scientific community has further explored and built upon Dr. Cotzias’ work, creating new and creative ways to administer this life-changing drug and exploring other topics related to PD research and patient care.

“Levodopa became (and continues to be) a critical tool in PD symptom management.” ― Dr. Rebecca Gilbert

To learn more about levodopa and its many variations, visit our recent blog post.

With your continued support, PD researchers and scientists can continue working to unlock the secrets of PD, develop better treatments, and, one day, discover a cure for this neurological disorder. Visit APDA Research to learn more.