Targeting Aberrant Learning May Improve Parkinson's Treatment - News Center

"Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered that targeting neuronal signaling controlling aberrant learning in the striatum may improve the efficacy of a first-line therapy for Parkinson's disease and has the potential to reduce therapy-related side effects, according to a recent study published in Science Advances. The study, led by D. James Surmeier, PhD, the Nathan Smith Davis Professor and chair of Neuroscience, suggests the approach may alleviate increased involuntary movement triggered by long-term usage of the drug levodopa in patients with late-stage Parkinson's disease."

"This symptomatic therapy is recreating a learning signal in the brain that, instead of being dictated by experience or by the need to move, is chemically induced. It's driving aberrant learning, which leads to side effects with prolonged use at high doses. What we were trying to do is to block that aberrant learning and in so doing, eliminate the side effects of the treatment,"

"Although these symptoms can be managed effectively with medication in the early stages of the disease, as the disease progresses the efficacy of the medication wanes and side-effects commonly manifest. Patients with late-stage Parkinson's disease may also experience levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), or involuntary movement associated with taking the medication levodopa, a first-line therapy for treating the disease. Levodopa works by converting into dopamine in the brain, serving as a dopamine replacement."

Northwestern Medicine scientists discovered that targeting neuronal signaling controlling aberrant learning in the striatum may improve levodopa efficacy and reduce therapy-related side effects. The approach may alleviate increased involuntary movement triggered by long-term levodopa use in late-stage Parkinson's disease. Levodopa chemically recreates a learning signal in the brain that is not dictated by experience or need to move, driving aberrant learning and producing side effects with prolonged high-dose use. Blocking this aberrant learning could eliminate treatment-related side effects. Parkinson's disease involves progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, causing tremors, stiffness and slow movement, and medication efficacy commonly wanes as the disease advances.

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