Flumazenil, a GABA antagonist, may improve features of Parkinson's disease.
Manipulation of gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) system has been little studied in Parkinson's disease, despite the fact that GABA subserves a large part of the basal ganglia, including the outflow tracts. To test whether antagonism of GABA could improve features of PD, we administered open label intravenous flumazenil to eight practically defined off patients and assessed UPDRS scores, bilateral 1-minute hand-tapping speed, and timed gait tests. Patients demonstrated significantly greater tapping speed, which peaked 40 minutes after injection (P < 0.05). Total motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores modestly improved (P < 0.05). There were no adverse events. Mechanisms by which flumazenil could improve PD are discussed.
Ondo
William G
WG
Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. wondo@bcm.tmc.edu
Hunter
Christine
C
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D005442:Flumazenil