UA study may open the door for ketamine to ease side effects of Parkinson's drug

In a new study, researchers from the University of Arizona looked into some of the complications experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease. The study, published in the journal Brain, looks at the involuntary movements that some patients experience.

In order to treat Parkinson’s disease, patients use a drug called levodopa. The long-term usage of the drug, though, causes these involuntary movements known as dyskinesia.

In their study, the researchers found a challenge to the commonly held thought that the motor cortex of the brain causes such movements.

Stephen Cowen is an associate professor in the university’s psychology department.

“So we thought the motor cortex was directly causing these dyskinetic movements. And instead, we found that that wasn't apparently the case," she said.

Researchers instead found that a “disconnect” occurs in the motor cortex during dyskinesia showing that the neural circuits cause those movements in patients.

The findings may allow for ketamine infusions as a treatment for dyskinesia.

Torsten Falk, a professor of neurology at UA, says they have to get FDA approval.

“So the studies in the lab will actually help provide mechanistic understanding that FDAs will be interested in," he said.

Funding for the study was obtained from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Arizona Biomedical Research Commission.