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Neurology 1999;52(7 Suppl 3):S10-3

Dopaminomimetic psychosis in Parkinson's disease patients: diagnosis and
treatment.

Wolters EC
Graduate School Neurosciences Amsterdam, Research Institute Neurosciences
VU, Department of Neurology AZVU, The Netherlands.

Dopaminomimetic agents, which were rationally designed to reverse dopamine
deficits in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area of the
parkinsonian midbrain, effectively attenuate deficits in motor and non-motor
behavior thought to be elicited by dopamine deficiencies in the striatal and
frontal limbic regions, respectively. On the other hand, dopaminomimetic
medications may also induce perturbations in postsynaptic peptides, causing
dopaminergic hypersensitivity. Drug-induced chronic dopaminomimetic
psychosis afflicts about one-fifth of PD patients on dopaminergic regimens.
Although the long-held mechanism for psychosis in PD is excessive
stimulation of mesocorticolimbic dopamine receptors, interactions between
dopamine and serotonin, as well as participation of serotonin-modulated
GABAergic neurons may also contribute to the pathophysiology. Reduction or
withdrawal of anticholinergic agents, amantadine, and dopamine precursors or
agonists constitutes a first approach to the problem but is often
insufficient. Unfortunately, typical antipsychotic agents such as
haloperidol, which selectively antagonizes dopamine D-2 receptors, can
induce extrapyramidal syndromes such as tardive parkinsonism. On the other
hand, emerging atypical neuroleptics such as clozapine, quetiapine, and
olanzapine, which antagonize 5HT-2A receptors (among others), inhibit D-2
receptors to a lesser degree and exhibit selective binding to mesolimbic
(vs. striatal) dopamine receptors. The limbic selectivity of these agents
appears to be of greater magnitude than that typical of risperidone. In
addition, the selective antiserotonergic agent ondansetron is a prospective
therapeutic option. The pharmacologic properties of these agents are
explored.

PMID: 10227604, UI: 99242143
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