Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. Sources of data Literature search using Medline with keywords Parkinson's disease supplemented with previously published papers known to the author.
Areas of agreement: There have been significant recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. There has also been a greater realization that the disorder may be associated with significant non-motor disturbances in addition to the more commonly recognized motor complications.
Areas of controversy: Although there is growing circumstantial evidence, it remains to be proven whether any of the current treatments for PD have a neuroprotective effect.
Areas timely for developing research: Although there is no cure, there are several management options for the early treatment of PD. As the disease progresses, further treatment options are available; however, the management of late-stage motor complications and non-motor symptoms remains particularly challenging and will benefit from further clinical research.