Dr Payam Piray at the Donders Institute has found that levodopa -- a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) patients --may lead to impulse control disorders. In PD, a protein called alpha-synuclein builds up and causes neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain to die, leading to a reduction in the production of dopamine, a chemical essential for brain function. Althouth there is no drug to prevent the protein deposits, some drugs can help supplement dopamine, which can relieve symptoms like stiffness, tremors, spasms and poor muscle control, to some extent. But such drugs like levodopa can induce adervese effects. Levodopa, the most important first-line drug for PD management, is synthesized in the brain into dopamine. It can lead to side effects such as gambling or sexual addiction and other impulse control disorders. Dr Piray wanted to elucidate how PD medicines impact patients' behavior. They found that these dopamine-stimulating drugs cause patients unable to learn from the positive and negative consequences of their behaviour. For those with an impulsive personality, these drugs increase brain communication. In contrast, for those who are not impulsive, these drugs decrease brain communication. The results suggest that dopaminergic drugs have an impact on people's brain function and behavior. Levodopa may lead other side effects such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, memory loss, anxiety and nervousness. It is almost always given in combination with a levodopa enhancer known as carbidopa. Levodopa is a chemical building-block that can be converted in the brain to dopamine. Carbidopa helps it can enter the brain more efficiently. This study shows how levodopa affects patients' behavior. It may improve PD management. Besides, levodopa is also used to treat these same muscular conditions caused by drugs such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine and perphenazine. So the findings of Piray's study will have broad impications. As a protein and antibody producer, CusAb always offers high-qulity products. If you need Recombinant Human Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor(CDNF), Recombinant Human Dopamine beta-hydroxylase(Dbh), Rabbit anti-human dopamine receptor D5 polyclonal Antibody, alpha-synuclein Polyclonal Antibody, alpha-synuclein Biotin conjugated Antibody, and other products, visit http://www.cusabio.com/
