The role of the dorsal raphe nucleus in the development, expression, and treatment of L-dopa-induced dyskinesia in hemiparkinsonian rats.

ABSTRACT: Convergent evidence indicates that in later stages of Parkinson's disease raphestriatal serotonin neurons compensate for the loss of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons by converting and releasing dopamine derived from exogenous administration of the pharmacotherapeutic L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (L-dopa). Because the serotonin system is not equipped with dopamine autoregulatory mechanisms, it has been postulated that raphe-mediated striatal dopamine release may fluctuate dramatically. These fluctuations may portend the development of abnormal involuntary movements called L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). As such, it has been hypothesized that reducing the activity of raphestriatal neurons could dampen supraphysiological stimulation of striatal dopamine receptors thereby alleviating LID. To

SUBMITTER: Eskow KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2741636 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature