Motor Complications Linked to Increased Expression of Striatal FRA Proteins (AAN 2007)

Subject: Motor Complications Linked to Increased Expression of Striatal FRA Proteins (AAN 2007)

Date: 5/18/2007

E-MOVE reports from the 59th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. Poster, Session, and page numbers below refer to those published in the on-site late-breaking abstracts guide.

Chronic FRA proteins are involved in the development of motor complications associated with long-term levodopa therapy
X Cao, T Yasuda, H Mochizuki, S Pappa
P03.001, A111

Motor complications can be induced in the absence of levodopa treatment by increased expression of FRA proteins, indicating the importance of these proteins in the development of motor complications, according to this study. Increases in Fos-related antigen (FRA) proteins have been seen in animal models of levodopa-related motor complications, but their significance has been unclear.

Hemiparkinsonian rats received one of four treatments: chronic levodopa, chronic saline, delivery of the gene for FRA protein delta-FosB to the striatum by adeno-associated virus, or AAV delivery of green fluorescent protein.

Rotational responses and abnormal involuntary movements in levodopa-treated and delta-FosB treated animals were similar, with an increase in abnormal involuntary movements (similar to dyskinesias) and a decrease in duration of drug-induced rotation (similar to wearing off) over time.

“These results show direct evidence that striatal FRAs may play a key role in the mechanisms of motor complications associated with long-term levodopa therapy,” the authors conclude.

E-MOVE Editor: Richard Robinson, NASW, WE MOVE

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