Aim: Levodopa is first line treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, its use is associated with the presence of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. In recent years, adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) is rising as a therapeutic target for PD. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ADORA2A is associated with levodopa adverse effects.
Patients & methods: Two hundred and eight PD patients on levodopa therapy were investigated. rs2298383 and rs3761422 at the ADORA2A gene were genotyped by allelic discrimination assays.
Results: A trend for association was observed for both polymorphism and diplotypes with dyskinesia.
Conclusion: The present results should be considered as positive preliminary evidence. Further studies are needed to determine the association between ADORA2A and dyskinesia. Original submitted 3 December 2014; Revision submitted 13 February 2015.
Keywords: ADORA2A; Parkinson's disease; dyskinesia; levodopa.