Signaling Mechanisms in l-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by typical movement disorders, in particular, loss of spontaneous movements (akinesia) and slowness of movement (bradykinesia). These motor symptoms are due to the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons and the ensuing loss of DA in the striatum. The DA precursor L-3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) remains the most effective treatment for PD. However, after an initial period of full efficacy, this treatment is complicated by L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), abnormal involuntary movements having both hyperkinetic and dystonic components. LID has been estimated to affect approximately 80 % of PD patients within 10 years. A better understanding of the neuronal mechanisms underlying the development of LID is essential to identify effective therapeutic strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)