Try http://www.rxlist.com/ for a complete, comprehensive,
and relatively easy to navigate site re: meds, P.D. and
otherwise.
Carole Hercun, R.N. and P.W.P.

--- mackenzie <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> hmmmm... well, a dopamine agonist does not stimulate -
> as far as i have ever read - the release of available
> dopamine in the brain. rather, it mimicks the action
> of dopamine, as per this definition from a website
> affiliated with the Parkinson Alliance:
>
> A drug that acts like dopamine. DAs combine with
> dopamine receptors to mimic dopamine actions. Such
> medications stimulate dopamine receptors and produce
> dopamine-like effects.
> www.dbs-stn.org/glossary1.asp
>
> And this definition of a receptor agonist from the
> Alzheimer's Association website:
>
> "A substance that mimics a specific neurotransmitter,
> is able to attach to that neurotransmitter’s receptor,
> and thereby produces the same action that the
> neurotransmitter usually produces. Drugs are often
> designed as receptor agonists to treat a variety of
> diseases and disorders in which the original chemical
> substance is missing or depleted."
>
> i like to have my facts straight so i would love it if
> you could forward me your internet sources.
>
> Depending on how one define's "dopamine agonist," one
> could interpret the package insert for symmetrel
> (amantadine) as saying that it is a dopamine agonist
> (it says "Data from earlier animal studies suggest
> that SYMMETREL may have direct and indirect effects on
> dopamine neurons.") but it is not referred to as a
> dopamine agonist on the insert.
>
> It *is* referred to as an NMDA receptor antagonist:
>
> "More recent studies have demonstrated that amantadine
> is a weak, non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist
> (Ki = 10?M)."
>
> NMDA is a glutamate receptor - glutamate is another
> player in the PD mechanics landscape, but i know
> almost nothing about that.
>
> i wish i could do yoga - that's not true - i secretly
> consider the fact that i can't do yoga to be a teensy
> silver lining to the collapsed disc - but i am glad it
> is working for you.
>
>
>
> --- Terry Robertson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > For the record, from my internet sources, Amantadine
> > IS an antiviral, but it is also described as a both
> > a mild dopamine agonist and a drug that "stimulates
> > the release of available dopamine in the brain
> > thereby improving symptoms." As such if it works...
> > use it and perhaps I' ve been lucky regarding side
> > effects (particularly no red/purple blotching on the
> > skin), but the prospect of some flu and other viral
> > protection is a plus for me and with PD it is
> > important to look on the positive side!
> > On a lighter note, I find there are only positive
> > side effects to my yoga exercises.
> >
> >
> > *********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
> >
> > On 9/1/2006 at 11:42 PM mackenzie wrote:
> >
> > >amantadine is not a dopamine agonist, it is an
> > >anti-viral.
> > >
> > >dopamine agonists, from what i know of them, fool
> > >receptors into acting like they have come in
> > contact
> > >with dopamine, as opposed to levodopa, which is the
> > >precursor to dopamine and is actually metabolized
> > into
> > >dopamine in the brain (well, mostly in the brain
> > since
> > >the addition of carbidopa, which inhibits its
> > >metabolization before it gets to the brain)
> > >
> > >--- Terry Robertson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Bill:
> > >> I am 59 and was diagnosed with mild onset of PD
> > >> about a year ago. My neuro, who describes himself
> > as
> > >> a minimalist, (meaning I think he prescribes only
> > >> what is absolutely necessary) started me on
> > >> Amantidine when I said I really wanted something
> > to
> > >> assist with my slowing gait and stiffness of
> > >> movement. Amantidine is a dopamine agonist,
> > meaning
> > >> I think that it helps or encourages what dopamine
> > is
> > >> being produced to 'go  a little further' or work
> > a
> > >> little better. For me it seems to help somewhat
> > with
> > >> relatively few side effects. I find doing yoga
> > >> exercises also helps me to relax and reduce some
> > >> muscle stiffness.
> > >> Hope this helps.
> > >> Terry
> > >>
> > >> *********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
> > >>
> > >> On 8/31/2006 at 11:02 AM William P. Taggart
> > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> >AMANTADINE?
> > >> >
> > >> >My neuro is proposing that I add Amantadine to
> > my
> > >> meds...  (I'm
> > >> >primarily on Sinemet.).
> > >> >
> > >> >I'd like to hear any input you'd care to
> > share...
> > >> >
> > >> >Many thanks.    Bill
> > >> >
> > >> >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > >> >
> > >>
> >
>
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