th From November 20 to 23, 1997 the 6 International Winter Conference on Neurodegeneration was held in Kitzbtihel, Austria, to explore recent ad- vances in the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuroimmunological CNS diseases. Following the tradition of the previous conferences a select group of distinguished basic researchers and clinicians spent two days in the quiet Austrian mountain resort with in depth review and discussion of current topics in the fields of neurodegeneration and neuroimmunology focussing on the interface between these two groups of disorders. The main focus was on how to develop new treatment strategies based on current understandings in the molecular biology of maturation of the nervous system and of basic processes governing neurodegenerative disorders, like Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral scle- rosis as well as CNS demyelination in multiple sclerosis. Starting from classical concepts of symptomatic dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson's dis- ease, state-of-the-art lectures covered new evolving therapeutic concepts for neurodegenerative disorders: somatic gene therapy, neural transplantation and neuroprotection through pharmacological treatment as well as through deep brain stimulation. The emphasis on restoration as key feature of future neurological therapy was also highlighted in a session on mechanisms of demyelination and strate- gies for myelin repair in neurological autoimmune disease. The present volume includes updated review articles and original papers th covering the proceedings of the 6 International Winter Conference.

Some 20 years ago the introduction of levodopa opened a new era in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Although levodopa remains the single most effective drug for the treatment of this maladie, challeng- ing therapeutic problems arise in many patients after several years of sustained treatment. Among these, fluctuations in motor performance and drug-induced involuntary movements are the most troublesome. The search for improved antiparkinsonian medications therefore con- tinues and important new developments have already occurred, for example the introduction of the dopaminergic ergots and the selective MAO-B-inhibitor selegeline (deprenyl) into routine treatment. The International Workshop on Parkinson's Disease held in Inns- bruckjIgls primarily considered a new compound with antiparkinsonian properties unrelated to any of the conventional drugs - the diphenyl- ex- piperidine compound budipine. The present volume records the perimental and clinical data on budipine presented at the meeting. The editors felt especially encouraged by the authorative biochemical, physiological, clinical and therapeutic reviews that were given at this symposium by outstanding experts in the field of extrapyramidal dis- orders. Their inclusion should make this volume a valuable source of information on a variety of current research aspects into Parkinson's disease. InnsbruckjLondon, October 1984 The Editors v Contents James Parkinson and the Treatment of His Disease. G. Stern ...

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are known to suffer from motor symptoms of the disease, but they also experience non-motor symptoms (NMS) that are often present before diagnosis or that inevitably emerge with disease progression. The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease have been extensively researched, and effective clinical tools for their assessment and treatment have been developed and are readily available. In contrast, researchers have only recently begun to focus on the NMS of Parkinson's Disease, which are poorly recognized and inadequately treated by clinicians. The NMS of PD have a significant impact on patient quality of life and mortality and include neuropsychiatric, sleep-related, autonomic, gastrointestinal, and sensory symptoms. While some NMS can be improved with currently available treatments, others may be more refractory and will require research into novel (non-dopaminergic) drug therapies for the future. Edited by members of the UK Parkinson's Disease Non-Motor Group (PD-NMG) and with contributions from international experts, this new edition summarizes the current understanding of NMS symptoms in Parkinson's disease and points the way towards future research.