title: Targeting glutamatergic synapses in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and dramatic motor and cognitive impairments. The current knowledge indicates that the strength of glutamatergic signals from the cortex to the striatum is regulated during the progression of the disease. The efficacy of ionotropic glutamate receptors to modulate synaptic transmission in the striatum indicates that modulation of the activity of these receptors may represent a key target to rescue the altered neurotransmission in PD. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that agents targeting ionotropic glutamate receptors may ameliorate the motor symptoms of PD as well as to reduce the onset of levodopa-induced dyskinetic motor behaviour.
authors.affiliation: DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gardoni
authors.affiliation: DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: monica.diluca@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Luca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058468:Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D058468:Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate; D007980:Levodopa