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). |
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