Pharmacogenomics of Parkinson's Disease Treatment
Summary
Pharmacogenomics examines how genetic variation shapes individual responses to pharmacological therapies in Parkinson’s disease. As levodopa and dopamine agonists remain cornerstone treatments, their efficacy and adverse effects vary widely among patients, often due to polymorphisms in genes encoding drug-metabolising enzymes, transporters and receptors. Genome-wide association studies and candidate gene analyses have identified key loci affecting drug metabolism, such as those in the COMT, MAOB, DDC and various dopamine receptor genes. These discoveries have elucidated mechanisms underlying motor fluctuations and levodopa-induced dyskinesia, as well as non-motor complications including hallucinations and orthostatic hypotension. By integrating genotype data with clinical and demographic factors, researchers are developing predictive models to guide drug selection, dosing and early intervention. This personalised approach aims to maximise therapeutic benefit, minimise side effects and delay the onset of motor complications, ultimately advancing precision medicine in Parkinson’s disease globally.
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Pharmacogenomics of Parkinson's Disease Treatment publication trend
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Technical terms
Pharmacogenomics: The study of how genetic variation influences individual responses to drugs.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP): A common genetic variant involving a change of a single DNA base.
Haplotype: A group of alleles in an organism that are inherited together from a single parent.
Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: Involuntary, often choreic movements arising as a side effect of long-term levodopa therapy.
Dopamine receptor: A protein on neuron surfaces mediating the actions of dopamine and targeted by pharmacological agents.
References
- Genetic meta-analysis of levodopa induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease. npj Parkinson's Disease (2023).
- Polymorphisms of Dopamine Receptor Genes and Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Relevance and Future Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
- Clinical-Pharmacogenetic Predictive Models for Time to Occurrence of Levodopa Related Motor Complications in Parkinson’s Disease. Frontiers in Genetics (2019).
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