[New therapeutic indications for a dopamine antagonist, Piribedyl]

Evidence has been found for the view that piribedil stimulates peripheral and central dopamine receptors. Piribedil stimulates the nigro-striatal pathway and has been shown to be an effective antiparkinsonian agent. The stimulation of dopamine receptors in the meso-limbic and/or meso-cortical pathways lead to propose its use in the treatment of affective disorders (maia and depression). Piribedil stimulates dopamine receptors located in the tubero-infundibular pathway and reduces the secretion of prolactine, producing ablactation ; it increases the secretion of STH. Recent studies suggest that the peripheral effects of piribedil, mainly the increases in femoral and cerebral blood flows are also due to stimulation of peripheral dopamine receptors.