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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. 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