title: A new quantitative rating scale for dyskinesia in nonhuman primates.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a quantitative scale to assess levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) in nonhuman primates using a video-based scoring system [Quantitative Dyskinesia Scale (QDS)]. Six macaques with stable Parkinsonism and LID were used for tests of the new QDS, in comparison with our current standardized scale (Drug-Related Side effects), which provides a classic subjective measurement of dyskinesia. QDS scoring is based on systematic movement counts in time frames, using videotape recordings. For both scales, body segments scored included each extremity, the trunk, the neck, and the face, and raters were blinded to L-dopa treatments. Comparison of the two scales revealed that their scores are highly correlated with and are parallel to the L-dopa pharmacokinetic profile, although the QDS provided significantly more quantifiable measurements. This remained the case after separating animals into groups of mild and severe dyskinesias. Inter-rater reliability for application of the QDS was confirmed from scores obtained by three examiners. We conclude that the QDS is a quantitative tool for reliably scoring LID in parkinsonian monkeys at all levels of severity of dyskinesia. The application of this new standard for scoring LID in primates will allow for more precise measurements of the effects of experimental treatments and will improve the quality of results obtained in translational studies.
authors.affiliation: aDivision of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases bDepartment of Neurology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia cDepartment of Neurology, Center for Neurodegenerative and Neuroimmunologic Diseases, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Potts
authors.forename: Subramaniam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uthayathas
authors.forename: Alexander C M
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Greven
authors.forename: Bhagyalaxmi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dyavarshetty
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mouradian
authors.forename: Stella M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Papa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa