Effects of lisuride on blink reflex habituation in Parkinson disease

Eur Neurol. 1985;24(6):374-9. doi: 10.1159/000115829.

Abstract

The blink reflex presents a tendency to habituation (a gradual diminution of the amplitude of the response during repetitive stimulation). Electromyographic analysis of this reflex makes it possible to quantify this phenomenon. A lack of the habituation of the blink reflex is a typical feature of Parkinson disease. L-Dopa and amantadine, but not anticholinergic drugs, are able to partly reverse these abnormalities in blink reflex habituation to a normal pattern. Lisuride, a dopamine agonist with serotoninergic activity, has been recently proposed as antiparkinsonian agent. In our study we observed that lisuride has a positive effect on blink reflex habituation in Parkinson disease. A good correlation between the improvement of this electrophysiological parameter and clinical akinesia was seen. Mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of lisuride are complex, but this drug usually has a postsynaptic effect on D2 receptors. Our data suggest that these receptors play an important role in blink reflex habituation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amantadine / therapeutic use
  • Blinking / drug effects*
  • Electrophysiology
  • Ergolines / therapeutic use*
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Lisuride / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Ergolines
  • Levodopa
  • Amantadine
  • Lisuride