Riluzole prevents MPTP-induced parkinsonism in the rhesus monkey: a pilot study
European Journal of Pharmacology. 1995-09-01; 284(3): 299-307
DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(95)00362-O
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1. Eur J Pharmacol. 1995 Sep 25;284(3):299-307. doi:
10.1016/0014-2999(95)00362-o.
Riluzole prevents MPTP-induced parkinsonism in the rhesus monkey: a pilot study.
Benazzouz A(1), Boraud T, Dubédat P, Boireau A, Stutzmann JM, Gross C.
Author information:
(1)Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie, CNRS URA 1200, Université de Bordeaux 2,
France.
Previous studies have shown that riluzole
(2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy-benzothiazole), a drug which interferes with
glutamate neurotransmission, has a neuroprotective action in rodent models of
global and focal cerebral ischemia. In this pilot study, the protective and
palliative effects of riluzole have been examined using an animal model of
Parkinson’s disease. Two monkeys were rendered hemiparkinsonian by one
intracarotid injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP),
and motor signs were evaluated using clinical examination and electromyographic
recordings. When riluzole (4 mg/kg) was administered before the injection of
MPTP, parkinsonian motor symptoms, in particular bradykinesia and rigidity, were
absent. When injected daily in one monkey which presented stable motor symptoms,
bradykinesia and rigidity were significantly reduce d. Riluzole pretreatment
induced a persistent increase in dopamine turnover when compared to MPTP alone.
Thus, a possible neuroprotection and a facilitation of dopamine release may
explain the behavioural effects reported with riluzole treatment. These
preliminary results suggest that riluzole could possess neuroprotective and
palliative effects in a primate model of Parkinson’s disease.
DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(95)00362-o
PMID: 8666012 [Indexed for MEDLINE]