[Neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease: analysis though group of experts' methodology]

INTRODUCTION

Currently used antiparkinsonian drugs neither stop nor slow-down the progressive nature of the disease. The final phase of PD is characterized by the presence of symptoms and signs resistant to dopaminergic agents, such as depression, dementia, freezing and falls. Therefore, it is urgent to develop therapies able to positively modify this outcome. Despite neuroprotection is a research priority in PD, no effective strategies have been found so far.

METHOD

A key informants study was conducted. A group of experts in PD fulfilled a questionnaire of 10 questions to explore the most important topics related to neuroprotection. Afterwards a consensus about the current situation of neuroprotection in PD was established and future directions of development were suggested.

RESULTS

Most of the answers emphasized the need of new concepts, the limitations of animal models and the difficulties in the difficulties in demonstrating a neuroprotective effects in humans owing to a lack of biomarkers. Some of the experts believe that we are already exerting a disease modifying effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The concept of neuroprotection should be widened. Animal models should be improved. A reliable biomarker to start neuroprotective therapies long before the appearance of motor symptoms and to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of any therapy should be urgently developed.

The PDQ-39 Spanish version: reliability and correlation with the short-form health survey (SF-36)

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) was the first specific instrument for evaluation of the "health-related quality of life" (QoL) in Parkinson's disease patients. The PDQ-39 has been subjected to adaptation to Spanish language and culture (PDQ-39 Spanish version, PDQ-39SV) and this version has been validated in aspects of internal consistency and construct validity. The present study assess the test-retest reliability and the convergent validity of the PDQ-39SV with a generic QoL instrument (SF-36).

RESULTS

Most of the PDQ-39 dimensions showed an adequate consistency-Cronbach's alpha > 0.7 for six dimensions. As a whole, test-retest reliability resulted satisfactory. Two dimensions-activities of daily living and emotional well-being- showed a low grade significant difference (paired Student t-test, p < 0.05) due to improvement in the second survey (at 10 to 14 days from the first one) perhaps related to adjustments of the treatment at the first visit. A strong association (Spearman r, p < 0.001), indicative of convergent validity, was obtained for the PDQ-39 dimensions and the relevant SF-36 scales, as well as for the physical and mental component summary scores of the SF-36.

CONCLUSIONS

Taking into account these results and previous studies, it is concluded that the PDQ-39 SV is a reliable measure that has construct validity.

[Preparation of a levodopa/carbidopa solution in ascorbic acid (citridopa) and chromatographic and electrochemical assessment of its stability over 24 hours]

Levodopa/inhibitor improves motor function in parkinsonian patients. In its usual tablet form, however, its efficacy is reduced after several years, partially due to absorption deficiencies and changes in plasma kinetics; thus, other therapeutic strategies to provide a stable, easy to prepare formula are being sought. One such approach could be to dissolve L-dopa/carbidopa in ascorbic acid. This report describes the preparation method and demonstrates the stability of the sample using High pressure liquid cromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Regardless of the number of tablets the patient takes, the concentration of L-dopa/carbidopa/ascorbic acid remains constant (1/0.25/2 mg/ml). Thus, a patient taking 5 tablets of Sinemet Plus a day, would pulverize them in a glass, ceramic or marble mortar and add them to a measuring cup containing a 1 gram tablet of vitamin C (Redoxon) dissolved in 500 cc of cold water. This would be shaken or stirred until the Sinemet powder had dissolved. A few particles remaining in suspension after this process would be of no concern. The liquid would be stored in the refrigerator in an opaque or aluminum foil-covered glass bottle or, if possible, in several small dose-size vials. Using a measuring cup, a test tube and a syringe, the correct volume can be drawn out of the bottle and shaken well before drinking. The solution would be taken at regular intervals throughout the day (which vary from one patient to another) to maintain stable plasma L-dopa levels.

Bromazepam-induced dystonia

Benzodiazepines are drugs with a good tolerance that are widely used for the treatment of anxiety. Extrapyramidal side-effects are unusual. Diazepam is effective for the treatment of drug-induced dystonias, nevertheless there are some reports of Diazepam-induced dystonia. We report a case history of a patient who developed oromandibular dystonia after taking Bromazepam. The possible mechanisms that cause drug-induced dystonia are described.

Platelet-activating factor antagonists do not protect against the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

There is evidence suggesting the involvement of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) in central nervous system (CNS) functions. The possibility exists that PAF may be relevant in eliciting cell-mediated autoimmune phenomena in CNS. To assess the role of PAF in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), male Lewis rats were primed with whole spinal cord from guinea pig, emulsified in Freund's adjuvant supplemented with 10 mg/ml of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, H37Ra strain. Treatment with two different PAF antagonists (PCA 4248, WEB 2170) was applied starting from day 1 or day 5 postinoculation on a twice-daily basis. Neither PCA 4248 nor WEB 2170 suppressed the clinical signs of EAE. PAF concentration was measured in CNS tissue from the 9th day after inoculation to the 15th day, and no differences were found between control and EAE animals. These results suggest that PAF is not involved in the mediation of EAE.