Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia Is Associated with Increased Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone in the Dorsal Striatum of Hemi-Parkinsonian Rats

Authors: Ippolita Cantuti-Castelvetri, Ledia F. Hernandez, Christine E. Keller-McGandy, Lauren R. Kett, Alex Landy, Zane R. Hollingsworth, Esen Saka, Jill R. Crittenden, Eduardo A. Nillni, Anne B. Young, David G. Standaert, Ann M. Graybiel

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013861

Abstract Summary

Researchers discovered that thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) is dramatically elevated in the brains of parkinsonian rats experiencing dyskinesia—painful involuntary movements caused by levodopa therapy. This peptide was nearly absent in non-dyskinetic rats but surged specifically in the sensorimotor striatum of affected animals, suggesting TRH drives the abnormal dopamine signaling underlying this untreatable complication.

Why Brain? 🧠

Study identifies thyrotropin releasing hormone elevation in rat brain regions linked to levodopa-induced dyskinesia, suggesting a new therapeutic target for this debilitating Parkinson’s complication.

The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.