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Gene-environment Interaction Models to Unmask Susceptibility Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease
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Altered platelet monoamine oxidase-B activity in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Maroof Husain1, Rakesh Shukla, Madhu Dikshit

  • 1Developmental Toxicology Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, (Formerly Industrial Toxicology Research Centre), MG Marg, P.O. Box 80, Lucknow 226001, India.

Neurochemical Research
|March 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Platelet monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity is significantly increased in Indian Parkinson's disease patients. This enzyme activity may help understand Parkinson's drug mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder.
  • Platelet monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) is an enzyme implicated in neurotransmitter metabolism.
  • Altered MAO-B activity has been suggested in PD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate platelet MAO-B activity in Indian idiopathic Parkinson's disease cases.
  • To explore the relationship between MAO-B activity and disease characteristics (age, sex, duration, stage).
  • To assess the impact of PD medications on platelet MAO-B activity.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study design was employed.
  • Platelet MAO-B activity was measured in 52 participants (26 PD cases, 26 controls).
  • Data was analyzed concerning age, sex, disease duration, stage, and medication status (L-DOPA, MAO-B inhibitors, amantadine).

Main Results:

  • Platelet MAO-B activity was significantly higher in Parkinson's disease patients compared to controls.
  • No significant changes in MAO-B activity were observed with respect to age, sex, or disease duration.
  • A non-significant trend of decreased MAO-B activity was noted with advancing disease stage.
  • Parkinson's patients on L-DOPA with MAO-B inhibitors or amantadine showed reduced MAO-B activity compared to drug-naive or L-DOPA-only treated patients.
  • Elevated MAO-B activity was observed in naive and L-DOPA treated PD patients compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Phenotypic platelet MAO-B activity is elevated in Indian Parkinson's disease patients.
  • Platelet MAO-B activity assay may offer insights into the mechanisms of action for Parkinson's disease drugs.
  • Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate these findings.

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