Parkinson's Disease - Medications

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Budipine and Other Glutamate Blockers. A number of experimental drugs are being investigated for Parkinson's disease because they block the actions of glutamate, an amino acid that is a particularly potent nerve cell killer. Some of these drugs block a receptor group to glutamate called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). Investigative NMDA antagonists include remacemide, memantine, riluzole, and budipine. Budipine is of particular interest. It not only blocks NMDA, but it increases levels of two enzymes involved in the production of dopamine. Studies suggest that it reduces tremor in PD and it proving to be beneficial in combination with levodopa.

Cannabinoids. Drugs derived from cannabinoids, the active ingredients in marijuana, may have nerve protecting properties. Adverse effects include anxiety and sedation. Investigators are studying cannabinoid derivatives, including cannabidiol and dronabinol, which do not have psychologic side effects.

Review Date: 05/22/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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