A groundbreaking discovery by University of California, Irvine researchers reveals that ophthalmic acid, a molecule in the brain, acts as a neurotransmitter similar to dopamine in regulating motor function. This finding challenges the long-held belief that dopamine is the sole neurotransmitter responsible for motor control and offers a potential new therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
Summary: UC Irvine researchers have identified ophthalmic acid as a novel regulator of motor function, challenging the traditional view of dopamine’s role in movement control and offering new hope for Parkinson’s disease treatment.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
In a study published in the October issue of the journal Brain, a team led by Amal Alachkar and Olivier Civelli from UC Irvine’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences demonstrated that ophthalmic acid binds to and activates calcium-sensing receptors in the brain. This activation reversed movement impairments in Parkinson’s mouse models for more than 20 hours, significantly outperforming the current front-line treatment, L-dopa.
A New Player in Motor Function Control
The conventional understanding of Parkinson’s disease has centered around the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, leading to the characteristic symptoms of tremors, shaking, and lack of movement. L-dopa, the primary treatment for Parkinson’s, works by replacing lost dopamine but has limitations in its effectiveness over time.
Dr. Alachkar, a professor at the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, stated, “This discovery challenges the longstanding view of dopamine as the primary transmitter in motor control. Ophthalmic acid offers a promising alternative for therapeutic interventions for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.”
The research team’s journey to this discovery began over two decades ago when Dr. Alachkar observed robust motor activity in Parkinson’s mouse models without dopamine present. This observation led to a comprehensive investigation into brain molecules associated with motor activity in the absence of dopamine.
Ophthalmic Acid: A Powerful Alternative to Dopamine
Through extensive behavioral, biochemical, and pharmacological analyses, the researchers confirmed ophthalmic acid as an alternative neurotransmitter. The study revealed that ophthalmic acid not only enabled movement in Parkinson’s models but also surpassed L-dopa in sustaining positive effects.
One of the critical advantages of ophthalmic acid is its potential to overcome a significant hurdle in Parkinson’s treatment. Dr. Alachkar explained, “One of the critical hurdles in Parkinson’s treatment is the inability of neurotransmitters to cross the blood-brain barrier, which is why L-DOPA is administered to patients to be converted to dopamine in the brain.”
The research team is now focusing on developing products that either release ophthalmic acid in the brain or enhance the brain’s ability to synthesize it. This approach could lead to more effective and longer-lasting treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
Implications for Future Research and Treatment
The identification of the ophthalmic acid-calcium-sensing receptor pathway represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of motor function control. This discovery opens up new avenues for research into movement disorders and potential therapeutic interventions.
Dr. Alachkar and her team’s findings suggest that ophthalmic acid could offer several advantages over current treatments:
- Longer duration of effect (over 20 hours compared to 2-3 hours for L-dopa)
- Potential for fewer side effects, such as the dyskinesia associated with long-term L-dopa use
- A new target for drug development that could complement or replace existing therapies
The Road Ahead
While these findings are promising, it’s important to note that the research is still in its early stages. Further studies will be needed to fully understand the role of ophthalmic acid in motor function and to develop safe and effective treatments based on this discovery.
The UC Irvine team’s work, supported by a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, represents a significant step forward in the field of neuroscience and movement disorder research. As they continue to explore the full neurological function of ophthalmic acid, their work holds the potential to transform the lives of millions of people affected by Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
Quiz
- What molecule did UC Irvine researchers identify as a new regulator of motor function?
- How long did the effects of ophthalmic acid last in Parkinson’s mouse models?
- What receptor does ophthalmic acid bind to and activate in the brain?
Answer Key:
- Ophthalmic acid
- More than 20 hours
- Calcium-sensing receptors
Glossary of Terms
- Ophthalmic acid: A tripeptide molecule found in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter in motor function control.
- Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR): A protein in the brain that ophthalmic acid binds to and activates, influencing motor function.
- L-dopa: The primary drug used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, which is converted to dopamine in the brain.
- Neurotransmitter: A chemical messenger that transmits signals across a chemical synapse from one neuron to another.
- Blood-brain barrier: A semipermeable border of cells that prevents many substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream.
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