Cannabinoids reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study

Neurology. 2001 Dec 11;57(11):2108-11. doi: 10.1212/wnl.57.11.2108.

Abstract

The lateral segment of the globus pallidus (GPl) is thought to be overactive in levodopa-induced dyskinesia in PD. Stimulation of cannabinoid receptors in the GPl reduces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) reuptake and enhances GABA transmission and may thus alleviate dyskinesia. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (n = 7), the authors demonstrate that the cannabinoid receptor agonist nabilone significantly reduces levodopa-induced dyskinesia in PD.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Culture Techniques
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dronabinol / adverse effects
  • Dronabinol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dronabinol / therapeutic use*
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / diagnosis
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Globus Pallidus / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / administration & dosage
  • Levodopa / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug / agonists*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug
  • nabilone
  • Levodopa
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Dronabinol