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Shedding light into the role of BDNF in the pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease

The Pharmacogenomics Journal volume 6, pages 95–104 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease with a 1% incidence in the population over 55 years of age. Movement impairments represent undoubtedly the hallmark of the disorder; however, extensive evidence implicates cognitive deficits as concomitant peculiar features. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) colocalizes with dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, where dopaminergic cell bodies are located, and it has recently garnered attention as a molecule crucial for cognition, a function that is also compromised in PD patients. Thus, due to its colocalization with dopaminergic neurons and its role in cognition, BDNF might possess a dual role in PD, both as a neuroprotective molecule, since its inhibition leads to loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons, and as a neuromodulator, as its enhanced expression ameliorates cognitive processes. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of action of established as well as novel drugs for PD with a particular emphasis to those interfering with BDNF biosynthesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Center of Neuropharmacology, Milan, Italy

    F Fumagalli, G Racagni & M A Riva

  2. IRCCS San Giovanni di Dio-Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy

    G Racagni

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  1. F Fumagalli
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Fumagalli, F., Racagni, G. & Riva, M. Shedding light into the role of BDNF in the pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease. Pharmacogenomics J 6, 95–104 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.tpj.6500360

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.tpj.6500360

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