EFFECTS OF ACUTE OR PROLONGED ADMINISTRATION OF CABERGOLINE ON PARKINSONISM INDUCED BY MPTP IN COMMON MARMOSETS

The effects of a single treatment or chronic administration of cabergo line (1-[(6-allylergolin-8 rbonyl]-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethyl -urea), a potent, long-lasting dopamine receptor agonist, on parkinson ism induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrine (MPTP) in co mmon marmosets were studied. The administration of 0.2 mg/kg or a hige r dose of cabergoline began to reverse parkinsonism-like symtoms 60 mi n after a subcutaneous injection, and showed steady and constant effec ts throughout the observation period. For prolonged administration, 0. 2 mg/kg cabergoline was injected daily for 22 consecutive days. Locomo tor activity in MPTP-treated animals increased until it reached its pe ak on the third day, then it gradually decreased. Akinesia scores, rat ing the quality of movements, were also improved, and the improvement was sustained up to the last day of chronic administration. None of th e animals developed abnormal behaviors after either acute or chronic a dministration. These results suggest that cabergoline has long-acting effects in the marmoset model of parkinsonism, and that it will be a u seful agent for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, particularly in cases with fluctuating motor disabilities. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science I nc.