Continuous dopaminergic stimulation by pramipexole is effective to treat early morning akinesia in animal models of Parkinson's disease: A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study using in vivo microdialysis in rats.

Short-acting dopamine (DA) agonists are usually administered several times a day resulting in fluctuating plasma and brain levels. DA agonists providing continuous dopaminergic stimulation may achieve higher therapeutic benefit for example by alleviating nocturnal disturbances as well as early morning akinesia. In the present study continuous release (CR) of pramipexole (PPX) was maintained by subcutaneous implantation of Alzet minipumps, whereas subcutaneous PPX injections were used to mimic PPX immediate release (IR) in male Wistar rats.

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant effects of S(-) and R(+) pramipexole.

Background: Pramipexole exists as two isomers. The S(-) enantiomer is a potent D3/D2 receptor agonist and is extensively used in the management of PD. In contrast, the R(+) enantiomer is virtually devoid of any of the DA agonist effects.

Potential neuroprotection mechanisms in PD: focus on dopamine agonist pramipexole.

Background: The death of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) appears to have various causes, including oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction (and associated apoptosis), ubiquitin/proteasomal dysfunction, and inflammation, any of which could in principle be the therapeutic target of a neuroprotective drug. The biology of dopaminergic neurons offers further potential targets, involving neurotrophic factors, dopamine-neuron genes, and even neurogenesis.

Objective: To outline each hypothetical neuroprotective mechanism, the evidence suggesting its relevance to PD, and the research on pharmacologic intervention.

Dopamine receptor activation promotes adult neurogenesis in an acute Parkinson model.

Cell proliferation of neural progenitors in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of Parkinson disease (PD) patients and animal models is decreased. It was previously demonstrated that the neurotransmitter dopamine modulates cell proliferation in the embryonic brain. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether oral treatment with the dopamine receptor agonist pramipexole (PPX) modulates adult neurogenesis in the SVZ/olfactory bulb system in a dopaminergic lesion model.

Antidepressant effects of pramipexole, a dopamine D3/D2 receptor agonist, and 7-OH-DPAT, a dopamine D3 receptor agonist, in olfactory bulbectomized rats.

Treatment with pramipexole, a dopamine D(3)/D(2) receptor agonist, reduces depressive symptoms in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. To test the putative antidepressant quality of pramipexole, its effects were assessed in one of the most attractive animal models of depression, the olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rat. Two experiments studied the effects of pramipexole on bulbectomy-induced hyperactivity.