Work

Potential of D‐cycloserine in the treatment of behavioral and neuroinflammatory disorders in Parkinson's disease and studies that need to be performed before clinical trials

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Hyperactivation of glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been implicated in the excitotoxicity and pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). NMDA receptor blockers have been used clinically to treat dementia, but their efficacy is controversial. Modulation of NMDA receptors might improve neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits in PD. D-cycloserine (DCS), a partial agonist binding to the glycine binding site of NMDA receptors, has been demonstrated to improve cognitive function in primates and rodents. Our previous study showed that DCS can reduce motor, emotional, and cognitive dysfunctions, as well as neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in a PD animal model and may therefore have potential for the treatment of neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction in patients with PD. In addition, increased expression of cyclooxygenase type-2 (COX-2) has been observed in dopaminergic neurons and activated microglia in the brain of both PD patients and PD animal models. COX-2 inhibitors can suppress activation of microglia and protect dopaminergic neurons from degeneration. Thus, a combination of DCS and COX-2 inhibitors might prove useful in suppressing neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits in PD.

Source: The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2012.02.010

Authors: Cornelius Rainer Pawlak, Fu‐Shih Chen, Fu‐Ying Wu, Ying‐Jui Ho

Institutions: Central Institute of Mental Health, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200