Pharmacological Approaches

Dopamine-Based Approaches, Symptomatic Relief, Glutamate-Based Approaches, Cholinergic-Based Approaches, Adenosine-Based Approaches, Serotonin-Based Approaches

Several small-molecule pharmaceuticals are currently used to treat PD symptoms. Research efforts are aimed at developing new small molecules targeting implicated proteins and processes. Treating dopamine depletion has been a natural focus of therapeutic development, and therapies that increase dopaminergic activity in the brain are among the most efficacious for certain symptoms.  These can act either directly on the dopaminergic system or through modulation of synergistic neurotransmitter systems.

Other neurotransmitters involved in PD pathology and symptomatology that are targeted for PD therapeutics development include acetylcholine, glutamate, serotonin, and adenosine.

Contributions:
Statins neuroprotective in MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease: Response to comments by Dr. Wolozin
Statins neuroprotective in MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Kali Pahan, Rush
29 Oct 2009
I read comments by Dr. Wolozin with great interest. It is really unfortunate that Dr. Wolozin has forgotten to mention the original article on neuroprotective action of statin that was published in ... 
Use of statins in PD: further comments on Ghosh et al.
Statins neuroprotective in MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Erwan Bezard, INSERM
29 Oct 2009
The paper by Ghosh et al. represents an interesting contribution, elegantly executed as highlighted by Ben Wolozin in his comments. I entirely share Ben Wolozin’s views on the relevance of ... 
Statins and Parkinson’s disease: Commentary on Ghosh et al. (2009)
Statins neuroprotective in MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Benjamin Wolozin, BU
28 Oct 2009
The current issue of the Journal Neuroscience has an article by Ghosh, et al, which indicates that statins can protect against MPTP toxicity.  Statins are a class of medications that ... 
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Research Questions:
How should the dose and timing of LDOPA administration known to impact onset and expression of dyskinesia in humans inform preclinical mechanistic studies?
16 Apr 2009
Validation of new targets is critical for developing novel treatments for dyskinesia.  Before this can happen, optimal testing in dyskinesia models is needed.  Because dyskinesia is a side ... 
Responses: 1
News:
Statins neuroprotective in MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Published this week in The Journal of Neuroscience, Ghosh et al. demonstrate the statins simvastatin and pravastatin protect against MPTP-induced nigrostriatal degeneration in a mouse model. Dr. ... 
27 Oct 2009
Responses: 3
Biovail Announces Results from ACADIA’s Phase III Trial of Pimavanserin in Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biovail Corporation (NYSE/TSX:BVF) today announced top-line results from ACADIA Pharmaceutical Inc.’s first pivotal Phase III trial with pimavanserin in patients with ... 
01 Sep 2009
Related Clinical Trials:
Efficacy of Transdermal Nicotine, on Motor Symptoms in Advanced Parkinson's Disease
30 Mar 2009
Medical treatment of idiopathic Parkinson disease motor symptoms requires dopaminergic drugs, with long term disabling side effects. (fluctuations, dyskinesia, ON/OFF phenomena). Use of ... 
A Clinical Study for Patients With Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH) Using Droxidopa
28 Oct 2008
The purpose of this study is to see whether droxidopa is effective in treating symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in patients with Primary Autonomic Failure (Pure Autonomic ... 
Fipamezole in Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension
23 Sep 2008
The purpose of this study is to determine whether Fipamezole is effective in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension and related symptoms in multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's ... 
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