No abstract

These findings suggest that dysfunction of the basal ganglia circuitry in PD may affect iron content not only in SNc but in STN, Pu and GPe as well. Compensatory sprouting of the remaining dopaminergic fibers could account for the increased area of the CN and Pu.

No abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The pathophysiology of eRLS has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of the study was to assess, in patients with eRLS, the volume, iron content, and activation of the brain during night-time episodes of SLD and PLMs.

The antidyskinetic potential of the glutamate NMDA receptor channel blocker amantadine was evaluated in four levodopa-primed parkinsonian monkeys using two different regimens (1.25 or 2.5 mg/kg administered subcutaneously twice daily for 3-6 days). When administered with a relatively low dose of levodopa, amantadine produced a near-total suppression of choreiform dyskinesias and a substantial reduction in dystonic dyskinesias at the expense of a significant reduction in antiparkinsonian response. With a high dose of levodopa, amantadine had a smaller but still significant effect on dyskinesias without altering the antiparkinsonian response. These results lend support to the view that glutamate receptor-mediated mechanisms contribute to levodopa-induced dyskinesias. They also suggest that amantadine could alleviate such complications in parkinsonian patients, especially with careful dose optimization.