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Flumazenil, a GABA antagonist, may improve features of Parkinson's disease
Author(s) -
Ondo William G.,
Hunter Christine
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.10426
Subject(s) - flumazenil , antagonist , medicine , parkinson's disease , basal ganglia , rating scale , anesthesia , antagonism , neuroscience , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , disease , central nervous system , developmental psychology , receptor
Manipulation of γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA) system has been little studied in Parkinson's disease, despite the fact that GABA subserves a large part of the basal ganglia, including the outflow tracts. To test whether antagonism of GABA could improve features of PD, we administered open label intravenous flumazenil to eight practically defined off patients and assessed UPDRS scores, bilateral 1‐minute hand‐tapping speed, and timed gait tests. Patients demonstrated significantly greater tapping speed, which peaked 40 minutes after injection ( P < 0.05). Total motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores modestly improved ( P < 0.05). There were no adverse events. Mechanisms by which flumazenil could improve PD are discussed. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society