Pregnenolone Reduces L-Dopa-Induced Dyskinesias in Female Parkinsonian Monkeys.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pregnenolone is the first neurosteroid synthesized from cholesterol in the brain. Previous studies showed that it reduces the development of levodopa (L-dopa)-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) in rat models of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objective

To examine whether pregnenolone mitigates established LIDs in a non-human primate model.

Methods

Ovariectomized female macaques, modeling the postmenopausal hormonal status of most women with PD, were lesioned with MPTP and treated with L-dopa to induce LIDs. Pregnenolone was administered subcutaneously (SC) at 6 or 18 mg/kg or orally (36 mg/kg).

Results

Pregnenolone reduced established LIDs in MPTP-lesioned monkeys while preserving L-dopa's antiparkinsonian effects. The antidyskinetic effect was dose-dependent, wit

SUBMITTER: Bourque M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12485589 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature