title: Lamotrigine--antiparkinsonian activity by blockade of glutamate release?
abstract: Recent experiments provide evidence that the NMDA-antagonist MK-801 has a locomotor-stimulating effect in monoamine-depleted rodents. These findings are based upon a hypothetical pathway-circuit including the basal ganglia as a model reflecting hypo- and hyperkinetic movement disorders. We have treated 5 patients suffering from Parkinson's disease with the antiepileptic drug "lamotrigine" which does not appear to be an NMDA-antagonist but acts functionally as a glutamate antagonist by inhibition of presynaptic glutamate release.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zipp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baas
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005971:Glutamates / Q000378:metabolism*; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D005971:Glutamates; D014227:Triazines; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine