Adenosine/dopamine interaction: implications for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Evidence for a role of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the motor effects of adenosine antagonists, such as caffeine, is reviewed, based on the exist ence of specific antagonistic interactions between specific subtypes of ade nosine and dopamine receptors in the striatum. Both adenosine A(1) and aden osine A(2A) receptor antagonists induce motor activation in rodents. At lea st a certain degree of dopaminergic activity is required to obtain adenosin e antagonist-induced motor activation, with adenosine A(1) antagonists bein g the most sensitive and non-selective adenosine antagonists the most resis tant to striatal dopamine depletion. When considering long-term treatment w ith adenosine antagonists concomitant administration of dopamine agonists m ight be required in order to obtain strong motor effects (cross-sensitizati on) and to avoid the development of telerance. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.