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The control of blepharospasm by essential fatty acids
D I Mostofsky1, S Yehuda, S Rabinovitz
1Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. dmostof@bu.edu
Neuropsychobiology
|April 8, 2000
Summary
A novel compound (SR-3) derived from essential fatty acids significantly reduced eye blinking in rats. This suggests a potential new therapy for blepharospasm, a disorder linked to dopamine deficiency.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dopamine depletion causes eye blinking in rats, mimicking human blepharospasm.
- Blepharospasm is associated with parkinsonism and dopamine deficiency disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of a compound (SR-3) for blepharospasm.
- To evaluate the effect of SR-3, derived from linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, on dopamine-depletion-induced eye blinking.
Main Methods:
- Rats were administered Ro4-1284 to induce eye blinking.
- A 3-week course of SR-3 was administered to the rats.
- Eye blinking rates were compared between SR-3 treated rats and control groups.
Main Results:
- SR-3 significantly reduced the rate of rapid and repeated eye blinking.
- The reduction in eye blinking reached levels comparable to saline and no-drug controls.
- This indicates a potential therapeutic effect of SR-3.
Conclusions:
- Essential fatty acids, specifically SR-3, show promise for treating blepharospasm.
- SR-3 may offer an improved therapeutic option for benign essential blepharospasm management.