Dopamine Receptor Agonists for Protection and Repair in Parkinson's Disease: An Update

Giulia Ferrari-Toninelli, Sara A. Bonini, Paola Bettinsoli, Giuseppina Maccarinelli, Giovanna Cenini, Mariagrazia Grilli, Daniela Uberti, Maurizio Memo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Dopamine agonists have been shown to possess neuroprotective properties in different in vitro and in vivo experimental Parkinson’s disease models, because their capability to counteract-neuronal cell death. Here we update the molecular evidence underlying the wide pharmacological spectrum of dopamine agonists currently used for treating Parkinson’s disease patients. In particular, the mechanism of action of different dopamine agonists does not always appear to be restricted to the stimulation of selective dopamine receptor subtypes since at least some of these drugs are endowed with antioxidant, antiapoptotic or neurotrophic properties. These activities are molecule-specific and may contribute to the clinical efficacy of these drugs for the treatment of chronic and progressive neurodegenerative diseases in which oxidative injury and/or protein misfolding and aggregation exert a primary role. However, despite increasing number of experimental results confirm their neuroprotective effects, further studies are needed to definitively confirm dopamine agonists as disease-modifying agents.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFrontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
PublisherBentham Science Publishers
Pages87-106
Number of pages20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameFrontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
Volume7
ISSN (Print)1567-2042
ISSN (Electronic)1875-5763

Keywords

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • amyolid fibril
  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • apomorphine
  • bromocryptine
  • disease-modifying therapy
  • dopamine
  • dopamine receptor agonists
  • Free radicals
  • neurodegeneration
  • neurogenesis
  • neuroimaginig
  • neuroprotection
  • oxidative stress
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • pergolide
  • pramipexole
  • protein aggregation
  • ropinirole
  • rotigotine
  • α-synuclein

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dopamine Receptor Agonists for Protection and Repair in Parkinson's Disease: An Update'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this