Dopaminergic therapy improves upper limb motor performance in aged rhesus monkeys.
The potential of dopaminergic treatments to improve upper limb motor movements was tested in 7 aged rhesus monkeys using L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) or the selective dopamine uptake inhibitor 1-2(bis[4-fluorophenyl] methoxy]ethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl) piperazine hydrochloride (GBR-12909). Six young monkeys were studied for comparison. L-Dopa or GBR-12909 improved upper limb motor performance by up to 40% in the aged animals. At this point their performance was comparable to that of young adults. Dopaminergic therapy could be useful in elderly humans experiencing declines in upper limb motor functions.
Grondin
R
R
Department of Anatomy, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536-0298, USA.
Zhang
Z
Z
Gerhardt
G A
GA
Gash
D M
DM
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; C043425:vanoxerine; D004298:Dopamine