Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0030567 (Parkinson's disease)
 63,064 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

There is evidence to suggest that glutamate and other excitatory amino acids play an important role in the regulation of neuronal excitation. Glutamate receptor stimulation leads to a non-physiological increase of intracellular free Ca2+. Disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis and subsequent radical formation may be decisive factors in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Decreased glutamatergic activity appears to contribute to paranoid hallucinatory psychosis in schizophrenia and pharmacotoxic psychosis in Parkinson's disease. It has been suggested that a loss of glutamatergic function causes dopaminergic over-activity. Imbalances of glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems in different brain regions may result in anti-akinetic effects or the occurrence of psychosis. The simplified hypothesis of a glutamatergic-dopaminergic (im)-balance may lead to a better understanding of motor behaviour and psychosis.
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PMID:Glutamate receptor antagonism: neurotoxicity, anti-akinetic effects, and psychosis. 168 83

The interactions existing between glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems, notably in the basal ganglia, suggest that glutamatergic antagonists may have therapeutic interest in extrapyramidal disorders characterized by impaired dopaminergic transmission. The binding of [3H]dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) to glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-subtype was characterized in temporal and frontal cortex, in hippocampus and in subcortical areas (caudate nucleus and putamen) from controls and patients with Parkinson's disease or progressive supranuclear palsy. The binding affinity (KD) and the maximal specific binding capacity (Bmax) of [3H]MK-801 were unchanged in all the cerebral regions studied in both diseases. This indicates the existence of preserved NMDA glutamate receptors, which is required for potential therapeutic efficacy of specific antagonists.
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PMID:[3H]MK-801 binding to NMDA glutamatergic receptors in Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. 183 52

Intake of MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) leads to symptoms of Parkinson's disease and produces degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in humans, giving rise to the hypothesis that this disorder may be caused by endogenous or environmental toxins. Excitation mediated by dicarboxylic amino acids such as L-glutamate or L-aspartate, has been claimed to be involved in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. We therefore sought to determine whether antagonists active at the NMDA or quisqualate subtypes of L-glutamate receptors prevent toxicity of either MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium ion, the active metabolite of MPTP) or the selective dopaminergic neurotoxin 6-OHDA in the rat substantia nigra pars compacta. We report here that certain selective NMDA antagonists (AP7, CPP, MK-801), but not the preferential quisqualate antagonists CNQX and NBQX, provided short-term (up to 24 h) protection against MPP+ toxicity when coadministered into the substantia nigra. Systemic administration of CPP or MK-801 also offered temporary protection for up to 4 h against MPP+ toxicity. Repeated systemic administration of either compound prolonged protection against MPP+ challenge. Repeated administration for at least 24 h also led to permanent protection, still evident 7 days after intranigral administration of MPP+.
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PMID:Protection of substantia nigra from MPP+ neurotoxicity by N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists. 183 Sep 25

Elucidation of the mechanism(s) by which 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its active metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) cause parkinsonism in humans and other primates has prompted consideration of possible endogenous MPTP/MPP(+)-like neurotoxins in the etiology of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Here we examined inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in vitro and neurotoxicity in rats in vivo produced by beta-carbolinium compounds that are presumed to form following Pictet-Spengler cyclization of serotonin. We also evaluated N-methylisoquinolinium, a putative endogenous neurotoxin, in the same manner. The latter compound exhibited MPP(+)-like mitochondrial respiratory inhibition, whereas the beta-carbolinium compounds, although more potent inhibitors of electron transport, exhibited weak accumulation-dependent enhancement of inhibition in intact mitochondria. It is interesting that the beta-carbolinium compounds inhibited succinate- as well as glutamate-supported respiration, and are best described as inhibitor-uncouplers. The results of partitioning experiments suggest that both the low accumulation potential and the inhibition of succinate respiration may be a consequence of the beta-carboliniums being in equilibrium with neutral "anhydro" bases. Relative to MPP+, all compounds tested had weak dopaminergic uptake activity in vitro and weak dopaminergic toxicity in vivo, consistent with other findings of relatively low neurotoxic potential for presumed endogenous pyridiniums.
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PMID:Dopaminergic neurotoxicity in vivo and inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in vitro by possible endogenous pyridinium-like substances. 194 Sep 17

Despite several decades of research aimed at elucidating the mechanisms underlying neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, these mysteries remain unfathomed. The brain contains high concentrations of the putative transmitters, glutamate and aspartate, which have neurotoxic (excitotoxic) potential and are thought to cause neuronal degeneration in certain acute neurological disorders. However, no mechanism has been identified by which these diffusely distributed agents might cause the regionally selective patterns of neuronal degeneration characterizing Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Here we report that L-DOPA, the natural precursor to dopamine, is a weak excitotoxin and its ortho-hydroxylated derivative, 6-OH-DOPA, is a powerful excitotoxin. We propose that an excitotoxic process mediated by L-DOPA or an acidic derivative such as 6-OH-DOPA might be responsible for degeneration of nigral neurons in Parkinson's disease or striatal neurons in Huntington's disease.
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PMID:Excitotoxicity of L-dopa and 6-OH-dopa: implications for Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. 197 67

Amino acids such as L-glutamate und L-aspartate are major excitatory neurotransmitters in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and potential neurotoxins (excitotoxins), which can destroy central neurons by excessive activation of respective receptors. In the last three decades evidence has accumulated that excitatory amino acids (EAA) are involved in many neurological diseases and that pharmacological intervention offers prospects of novel and more effective therapies. Three different receptor types for EAA have been identified, each being named by the selective agonist to which it is preferentially sensitive, i.e. N-methyl-D-aspartate- (NMDA), kainate- and quisqualate-receptors. In this review interest is focused primarily on the NMDA-receptor, whose structure has been subject of numerous electrophysiological and biochemical studies. Today, it is well established that the NMDA-receptor-ionophore complex has an agonist binding site for glutamate, NMDA and related EAAs which is coupled with an ion channel permeable to Na+, K+, Cl- and Ca2+. Four other binding sites for glycine, phencyclidine, Mg2+ and Zn2+ have been identified which can differentially modulate the function of the NMDA receptor. An additional polyamine binding site has recently been reported. Numerous studies on experimental animals demonstrate that modulators of NMDA-mediated neurotransmission may have antiepileptic, anxiolytic, muscle-relaxant and memory-enhancing effects. Particular interest has gained the possible neuroprotective efficacy of NMDA-receptor antagonists in neurological diseases such as hypoxia/ischemia, hypoglycemia, epilepsy and chronic neurodegenerative disorders (Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and AIDS encephalopathy).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex. Various sites of regulation and clinical consequences]. 197 26

Since the discovery of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism, it has been postulated that (a) MPTP-like toxin(s) such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) may induce Parkinson's disease. As the neuronal degeneration in MPTP-induced parkinsonism is thought to be caused by the inhibition of the mitochondrial respiration by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), we studied the effects of TIQ-like alkaloids including dopamine-derived ones on the mitochondrial respiration using mouse brains. TIQ, tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), and tetrahydropapaverine (THPV) produced significant inhibition of the state 3 and 4 respiration and respiratory control ratio supported by glutamate + malate, the activity of Complex I and the ATP synthesis. Among those compounds, THPV was most potent. Toxic properties of these compounds on mitochondria were quite similar to that of MPP+. Our results support the hypothesis that (a) MPTP- or MPP(+)-like substance(s) may be responsible for the nigral degeneration in Parkinson's disease.
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PMID:Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-like endogenous alkaloids in mouse brain. 197 53

Subcutaneous administration of fluphenazine elicits catelepsy that can be attenuated by the glutamate antagonists MK801 and phencyclidine (PCP). 3-[-(+)-2-carboxy piperazine-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphanate (CPP) was found to be ineffective in this model. Intrastriatal injections of sulpiride or fluphenazine were also found to induce catalepsy which could be attenuated by MK801 and PCP. These results illustrate that nondopaminergic compounds might possibly be of value in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Furthermore it was demonstrated that this paradigm can be utilized to investigate neurotransmitter interactions within the striatum. This was clearly emphasized by the observation that bilateral administration of MK801 into the striatum increased basal locomotor activity.
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PMID:Neuroleptic-induced catalepsy as a model of Parkinson's disease. II. Effect of glutamate antagonists. 197 10

A modified primate model of Parkinson's disease was developed to assess the effectiveness of various agents that act via dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin or glutamate systems. Using a MPTP dosing regimen a reversible parkinsonian-like syndrome was produced in the marmoset. An obvious advantage of such a protocol is that it allows multiple drug studies to be undertaken in animals, without the need for prolonged anti-parkinsonian therapy to maintain their health. Results show that dopamine D2 agonists (bromocriptine, quinpirole, N,N-dipropyl,A,5,6-DTN, (+)3PPP and PHNO), anti-muscarinics (atropine, scopolamine and benztropine), in addition to L-DOPA and nomifensine, all reduced the bradykinesia induced by MPTP. The D1 agonist SKF-38393 and the partial dopamine agonist (-)3PPP were both ineffective. Finally, agents with potential therapeutic use in Parkinson's disease were also tested. However, a glutamate antagonist (MK801) and three serotonin antagonists (ritanserin, ketanserin and ICI 170,809) were all unable to alter the MPTP effects, at the doses used in our study.
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PMID:Effects of classical and novel agents in a MPTP-induced reversible model of Parkinson's disease. 197 76

Effects of MPTP-like compounds on mitochondrial respiration, activity of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) and on ATP synthesis were reported. Mitochondria prepared from mouse whole brains were used. The compounds tested include tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ), tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), tetrahydropapaverine (THPV), and salsolinol. TIQ, THP, and THPV significantly inhibited the state 3 respiration supported by glutamate + malate, activity of complex I and ATP synthesis. Among these compounds, THPV was most potent. Toxic properties of these compounds on mitochondria were similar to MPP+. Significance of our results was discussed with respect to etiology of Parkinson's disease.
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PMID:Effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-like compounds on mitochondrial respiration. 212 45


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