title: The use of pramipexole in Parkinson's disease: are its actions D(3) mediated?
abstract: Pramipexole is a non-ergot dopamine agonist recently approved for the treatment of early and advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). It has preferential affinity for the D(3) dopamine receptor, compared to previous dopamine agonists that have higher affinity for D(2) dopamine receptors. The ultimate question is whether its efficacy is linked to its action at the D(3) dopamine site or due to its binding to D(2) dopamine receptors. There is no direct experimental evidence available to answer this question. Based on a review of the pharmacological literature, it is likely that the motor benefits of pramipexole in PD patients are due to D(2) stimulation, whereas its putative effects on mood and apathy may be related to its D(3) agonist properties.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, National Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence, University of Toronto and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Ont., Toronto, Canada
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guttman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaskolka