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Scientific Committee:
Paolo Barone, Napoli, Italy
Wayne Hening, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Werner Poewe, Innsbruck, Austria
Anthony Schapira, London, UK
Symposium Description:
This international symposium seeks to provide an update on recent advances in the understanding of the role of dopamine in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS), and to examine future perspectives in the management of these disorders. A combination of didactic lectures and interactive panel discussions will enable participants to obtain the maximum educational benefit from this symposium. Video presentations will ensure that the most important features of these disorders are fully understood, so that clinicians are well prepared to effectively manage these disorders. Controversies will be examined through pro and con discussions based on a scientific evidence-based approach. The topics have been specifically selected with the objective of providing participants with a greater understanding of the most relevant aspects of fundamental research and clinical trials and their implications for daily practice and patient care.
Needs Statement:
Dopamine plays an important physiological role in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is the predominant catecholamine neurotransmitter in the human brain, where it controls a variety of functions including movement, cognition, emotion and endocrine function. Peripheral dopamine functions mediate changes in blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, sodium excretion and catecholamine release. The better understanding of dopamine deficiency and its effects on neuronal networks provides a basis for understanding the pathophysiology of several neurological conditions, especially PD and RLS.
PD is the most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Although the role of central dopaminergic system disturbances in this disease is well established, recent studies provide a greater understanding of dopaminergic pathways. These discoveries also provide clinicians with a rationale for comparing various dopaminergic agents, including levodopa and dopamine agonists. Furthermore, the role of the dopaminergic system in mood disorders may have possible implications in the management of the depressive symptoms frequently seen in PD patients.
RLS is another highly prevalent neurological disorder which has been shown to seriously affect quality of life in a significant number of patients. Recent studies have suggested that alterations in central dopaminergic function play an important role in this disorder, supporting recommendations that dopamine agonists should be the first-line therapeutic option. Furthermore, the development of guidelines for the management of RLS is a key aspect that deserves consideration, especially in terms of their appropriate implementation.
Given these developments, neurologists and other specialists who care for patients suffering from PD or RLS need to be updated concerning the role of dopamine in the pathophysiology and treatment of these two conditions. Examination of the symptoms related to the dysfunction of the dopaminergic system should improve the positive and differential diagnosis in both disorders. A review of the role of dopamine pathways and receptors and the clinical pharmacology of dopamine receptors should favor the optimal use of the available therapeutic options.
Educational Objectives:
After attending this meeting, the attendees should be able to:
The dopamine pathway in PD and RLS
- Comprehend the role of dopamine with regard to the pathophysiology and treatment of PD and RLS.
- Evaluate the importance of dopamine pathways and receptors in sleep disturbances and the pathophysiology of RLS.
- Recognize symptoms related to the dysfunction of the dopaminergic system in PD – motor and non-motor symptoms – and RLS.
- Describe the mechanisms of action of dopamine agonists.
- Understand similarities and differences between PD and RLS symptoms.
- Understand the clinical pharmacology of dopamine receptors.
Management of PD
- Evaluate the importance of early PD diagnosis and treatment.
- Manage depression in PD patients.
- Evaluate novel therapeutic approaches in PD.
Management of RLS
- Comprehend the individual and societal impact of RLS.
- Understand the importance of appropriate treatment of the broad range of RLS symptoms.
- Evaluate the role of dopamine agonists in short- and long-term RLS treatment.
Language:
The official language of the congress is English. |
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Vienna, Austria
29–30 March 2007
Venue:
Hofburg Congress Center & Redoutensäle
Vienna Heldenplatz,
A-1014 Vienna,
Phone: 43-1-587 36 66
Fax: 43-1-535 64 26
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