Posted by ed_uk on August 12, 2005, at 14:47:11
Amphetamine derivatives could be useful in treating Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Amphetamine-type drugs may be beneficial for treating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, according to new data from the US.
Researchers developed mouse models of Parkinson’s disease that were unable to produce or recycle dopamine. As expected, the Parkinson’s symptoms were reversed by the administration of dopamine agonists and the dopamine precursor levodopa. However, a number of amphetamine derivatives were also found to reduce the akinesia and rigidity of the mice, via a mechanism not thought to involve dopamine. One drug, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the chemical entity found in ecstasy, was found to be especially effective in restoring movement control in a dose-dependent manner, giving the mice enough mobility to move forwards.
The researchers also found that low doses of amphetamines helped to potentiate the action of levodopa.
Raul Gainetdinov, assistant research professor in the team from Duke University Medical Centre, North Carolina, said: “Amphetamines are controversial drugs, and there is no reason to suggest that amphetamines themselves should be used to treat Parkinson’s. However, the chemical structure of amphetamines may lead to new, amphetamine-like drugs that might provoke a more lasting and beneficial alternative to levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.” (PLoS 2005;3:e271).
poster:ed_uk
thread:540744
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050811/msgs/540744.html