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Dopaminergic therapy improves upper limb motor performance in aged rhesus monkeys
R Grondin1, Z Zhang, G A Gerhardt
1Department of Anatomy, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536-0298, USA.
Annals of Neurology
|August 12, 2000
Summary
Dopaminergic treatments like L-dopa significantly improved upper limb motor function in aged monkeys, restoring performance to young adult levels. This suggests potential benefits for elderly humans with motor declines.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Primate Studies
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Aging is associated with declines in motor function.
- Dopaminergic system dysfunction is implicated in motor impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of dopaminergic treatments in improving upper limb motor performance in aged rhesus monkeys.
- To compare the motor performance of aged monkeys treated with dopaminergic agents to young adult monkeys.
Main Methods:
- Administered L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) or the dopamine uptake inhibitor GBR-12909 to aged rhesus monkeys.
- Assessed upper limb motor performance in treated aged monkeys and compared it to a cohort of young monkeys.
Main Results:
- L-dopa and GBR-12909 treatments enhanced upper limb motor performance in aged monkeys by up to 40%.
- Treated aged monkeys achieved motor performance levels comparable to those of young adult monkeys.
Conclusions:
- Dopaminergic therapy demonstrates significant potential for restoring motor function in aged primates.
- These findings suggest dopaminergic treatments could be beneficial for elderly humans experiencing age-related motor function decline.