Lamotrigine--antiparkinsonian activity by blockade of glutamate release?
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.
Zipp
F
F
Department of Neurology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Federal Republic of Germany.
Baas
H
H
Fischer
P A
PA
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*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D005971:Glutamates; D014227:Triazines; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine