The 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Reduces Dyskinesia in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

January 2017 in “ Experimental Neurology ”

Roberto Frau, Paola Savoia, Silvia Fanni, Chiara Fiorentini, Camino Fidalgo, Elisabetta Tronci, Roberto Stancampiano, Mario Meloni, Antonino Cannas, Francesco Marrosu, Marco Bortolato, Paola Devoto, Cristina Missale, Manolo Carta

5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride D₁ receptor D₂ receptor D3 receptor Propecia

TLDR Finasteride reduces movement issues in Parkinson's disease rats.

The study investigated the effects of the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride on dyskinesia in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. The results showed that chronic administration of finasteride reduced L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in the rats. The antidyskinetic effect of finasteride may be exerted via modulation of both the D₁- and D₂/D3 receptor pathways. The study suggests that finasteride may have potential as a treatment for dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease patients.

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