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.
