BN82451 attenuates l-dopa-induced dyskinesia in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson’s disease

The development of l-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) remains a major problem in the long-term treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study aimed to assess the effect of the multitargeting molecule BN82451 on LID and to measure striatal mRNA expression of several genes in a rat model of PD. Rats were administered two unilateral injections of 6-OHDA in the striatum. After four weeks, the animals started a chronic daily treatment with increasing doses of l-dopa over a further four-week period. Over the course of l-dopa treatment, the rats developed abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) classified as locomotive, axial, orolingual and forelimb dyskinesia. In animals rendered dyskinetic by l-dopa, administration of BN82451 at doses ranging from 1 to 10 mg/kg p.o. attenuated the severity of fully-established AIMs in a dose-related manner. This anti-dyskinetic effect could be achieved with lower doses of BN82451 administered sub chronically vs. acute single treatment. The improvement of AIMs is not due to a reduction in the general motor activity of dyskinetic rats. BN82451 treatment significantly reversed the overexpression of c-Fos, FosB and Arc mRNA associated with the dyskinesiogenic action of l-dopa. A significant correlation between the degree of overexpression of c-Fos, FosB and Arc mRNA and the dyskinesiogenic action of l-dopa was observed. The data demonstrate that BN82451 effectively attenuates LID and the associated molecular alterations in an animal model of PD and may represent a treatment option for managing dyskinesia. ► BN82451, a multitargeting molecule, reduces dyskinesia in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model. ► BN82451 attenuates abnormal involuntary movements in a dose-related manner. ► BN82451 attenuates the associated molecular alterations: c-Fos, FosB and Arc mRNA. ► A significant correlation between these effects is observed.