Therapeutic effects of Δ9-THC and modafinil in a marmoset Parkinson model
article
Current therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) like l-dopa and dopamine (DA) agonists have declined efficacy after long term use. Therefore, research towards supplementary or alternative medication is needed. The implementation in PD can be expedited by application of compounds already used in the clinic. In this study the therapeutic effects of the psychoactive compounds Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and modafinil were tested in the 1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-marmoset model for PD. The anti-parkinson effects of Δ9-THC (4 mg/kg) and modafinil (100 mg/kg) in parkinsonian marmosets were assessed with two behavioral rating scales covering parkinsonian symptoms and involuntary movements and two test systems assessing the locomotor activity and hand-eye coordination. Δ9-THC improved activity and hand-eye coordination, but induced compound-related side-effects. Modafinil improved activity and observed parkinsonian symptoms but not hand-eye coordination. It can be concluded that both compounds have therapeutic values and could supplement existing therapies for PD. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP.
Topics
BehaviorDelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolHand-eye coordinationLocomotor activityMarmosetModafinilMPTPParkinson's diseaseTherapy1,2,3,6 tetrahydro 1 methyl 4 phenylpyridineAntiparkinson agentDopamine receptor stimulating agentDronabinolLevodopaModafinilPsychotropic agentBenzhydryl derivativeTetrahydrocannabinolAnimal behaviorAnimal experimentAnimal modelControlled studydrug effectDxploratory behaviorEye hand coordinationFemaleInvoluntary movementLocomotionMaleMarmosetNonhumanParkinson diseaseRating scaleSingle drug doseSymptomAnimalChemically induced disorderDisease modelParkinsonismPathophysiologyAntiparkinson agentsBenzhydryl compoundsCallithrixFemaleParkinsonian disordersTetrahydrocannabinol1,2,3,6 tetrahydro 1 methyl 4 phenylpyridine, 28289-54-5Dronabinol, 7663-50-5;Levodopa, 59-92-7Modafinil, 68693-11-8Tetrahydrocannabinol, 1972-08-3Antiparkinson agentsBenzhydryl compounds
TNO Identifier
183573
ISSN
0924-977X
Source
European Neuropsychopharmacology, 18(5), pp. 383-389.
Pages
383-389
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