[Dopamine agonists--pharmacological similarities and differences]. / Agonisci dopaminy--farmakologiczne podobienstwa i róznice.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder characterized by selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Considerable advances made in defining the aetiology, pathogenesis and pathology of PD have resulted in the development and rapid expansion of the treatment. Dopamine receptor agonists play increasingly important roles in antiparkinsonian therapy. Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of these agents are briefly reviewed and followed by a detailed summary of available literature concerning controlled trials in Parkinson's disease.