Clinical Studies and Therapies in Parkinson's Disease: Translations from Preclinical Models

L-dopa is still the most common treatment for Parkinsons disease, but it causes severe side effects after 4–6 years of use. Preclinical investigations have failed to transfer successful results to preclinical studies, and the scientific community needs to focus on potential therapeutics that can slow or halt the disease's development. Clinical Studies and Therapies in Parkinsons Disease: Translations from Preclinical Models discusses newer models and their benefits for neuroscientists, neurologists, and neuropharmacologists. It also provides basic concepts of dopamine metabolism for students.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 306 pages
\n Publication date: 16 June 2021
\n Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc
\n

More than 50 years have elapsed since the introduction of L-dopa in the palliative treatment of Parkinson's disease, yet it remains the most widely used treatment despite inducing severe side effects such as dyskinesia after 4-6 years of use. Numerous preclinical investigations based on endogenous neurotoxin models have promised various therapies for Parkinson's disease, but these efforts have failed when attempting to transfer these successful results to preclinical studies. Although several publications have warned of these failures, the scientific community remains largely unaware, and there is a need to focus their efforts on potential therapeutics that can slow or halt the development of the disease.

Clinical Studies and Therapies in Parkinson's Disease: Translations from Preclinical Models analyzes preclinical models based on exogenous neurotoxins and why they have failed. Neuroscientists, neurologists, and neuropharmacologists will greatly benefit from the book's discussion of these newer models, their benefits, and the need for their implementation. This book also provides the basic concepts of dopamine metabolism for students taking courses in neurochemistry, neuroscience, neuropharmacology, biochemistry, and medicine.

Parkinson's disease is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. The primary symptoms of Parkinson's include tremors, stiffness, slow movement, and difficulty with balance and coordination. While the exact cause of Parkinson's disease is not known, it is believed to be related to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

One of the most promising treatments for Parkinson's disease is L-dopa, a precursor to dopamine that is commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. However, L-dopa has several drawbacks, including the development of dyskinesia, a side effect that occurs when the medication stimulates excessive movement. Dyskinesia can be debilitating and can significantly reduce the quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease.

In recent years, researchers have turned to preclinical models to develop new therapies for Parkinson's disease. These models involve the use of exogenous neurotoxins, which are substances that damage specific neurons in the brain. By studying the effects of these neurotoxins on Parkinson's disease, researchers can identify potential targets for new treatments.

One of the most promising exogenous neurotoxin models for Parkinson's disease is the MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) model. This model involves the administration of MPTP to mice, which causes the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Researchers have used this model to develop several new treatments for Parkinson's disease, including the use of antioxidants and other compounds that can protect dopamine-producing neurons from damage.

Another exogenous neurotoxin model for Parkinson's disease is the 6-OHDA (6-hydroxydopamine) model. This model involves the administration of 6-OHDA to rats, which causes the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Researchers have used this model to develop several new treatments for Parkinson's disease, including the use of drugs that can stimulate the growth of new dopamine-producing neurons.

Despite the promise of these preclinical models, there have been several challenges in translating these results to clinical studies. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of a reliable animal model that closely mimics the human disease. Another challenge is the development of safe and effective delivery methods for exogenous neurotoxins.

Despite these challenges, there is still hope for developing new therapies for Parkinson's disease. Researchers are continuing to work on developing new preclinical models and testing new treatments in clinical trials. In addition, there is ongoing research into the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease, which may lead to new treatments in the future.

In conclusion, Parkinson's disease is a debilitating neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. While the use of L-dopa remains the most common treatment for Parkinson's disease, it has several drawbacks, including the development of dyskinesia. Preclinical models based on exogenous neurotoxins have promised new therapies for Parkinson's disease, but there have been challenges in translating these results to clinical studies. However, there is still hope for developing new treatments that can slow or halt the development of the disease, and ongoing research into the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease may lead to new treatments in the future.

\n Weight: 504g\n
Dimension: 153 x 268 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780128221204\n \n