Excitotoxic Mechanisms in Non-Motor Dysfunctions and Levodopa- Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease: The Role of the Interaction Between the Dopaminergic and the Kynurenine System

Title:Excitotoxic Mechanisms in Non-Motor Dysfunctions and Levodopa- Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease: The Role of the Interaction Between the Dopaminergic and the Kynurenine System

Volume: 23 Issue: 9

Author(s): Zsófia Majláth, József Toldi, Ferenc Fülöp and László Vécsei

Affiliation:

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, kynurenic acid, neuroprotection, NMDA receptor, glutamate, levodopa-induced dyskinesia, excitotoxicity.

Abstract: Parkinson’s disease is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder presenting with characteristic motor symptoms. Non-motor dysfunctions and therapyrelated complications frequently develop, but are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Levodopa- induced dyskinesia and impulse control disorders are suggested to share pathophysiological processes and m a y be related to alterations of the glutamatergic neurotransmission. Anti- glutamatergic interventions are therefore worth considering: several lines of evidence already indicate their beneficial effect. The kynurenine pathway offers the endogenous glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid, which may act as a promising candidate for future drug development with the aim of assessment of the motor symptoms and therapy-related complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Cite this article as:

Majláth Zsófia, Toldi József, Fülöp Ferenc and Vécsei László, Excitotoxic Mechanisms in Non-Motor Dysfunctions and Levodopa- Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease: The Role of the Interaction Between the Dopaminergic and the Kynurenine System, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2016; 23 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867323666160212121915