Replies to post #375139 on Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc (ELTP)

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Parkinson's disease
Dopamine agonists are mainly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.[2] The cause of Parkinson's is not fully known but genetic factors, for example specific genetic mutations, and environmental triggers have been linked to the disease.[4] In Parkinson's disease dopaminergic neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain slowly break down and can eventually die. With decreasing levels of dopamine the brain can't function properly and causes abnormal brain activity, which ultimately leads to the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.[5]

There are two fundamental ways of treating Parkinson's disease, either by replacing dopamine or mimicking its effect.[1]

Dopamine agonists act directly on the dopamine receptors and mimic dopamine's effect.[1] Dopamine agonists have two subclasses: ergoline and non ergoline agonists. Both subclasses target dopamine D2-type receptors. Types of ergoline agonists are cabergoline and bromocriptine and examples of non-ergoline agonists are pramipexole, ropinirole and rotigotine. Ergoline agonists are much less used nowadays because of the risk of cartilage formation in heart valves.[6][7]

Treatment of depression in Parkinson's patients
Depressive symptoms and disorders are common in patients with Parkinson's disease and can affect their quality of life.[8] Increased anxiety can accentuate the symptoms of Parkinson's and is therefore essential to treat. Instead of conventional antidepressant medication in treating depression, treatment with dopamine agonists has been suggested.[9] It is mainly thought that dopamine agonists help with treating depressive symptoms and disorders by alleviating motor complications, which is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Although preliminary evidence of clinical trials has shown interesting[how?] results, further research is crucial to establish the anti-depressive effects of dopamine agonists in treating depressive symptoms and disorders in those with Parkinson's.[8]

Hyperprolactinemia
Dopamine is a prolactin-inhibiting factor (PIFs) since it lowers the prolactin-releasing factors (PRFs) synthesis and secretion through D2-like receptors.[10] That is why dopamine agonists are the first-line treatment in hyperprolactinemia.[11] Ergoline-derived agents, bromocriptine and cabergoline are mostly used in treatment. Research shows that these agents reduce the size of prolactinomas by suppressing the hypersecretion of prolactin resulting in normal gonadal function.[12]

Restless leg syndrome
Numerous clinical trials have been performed to assess the use of dopamine agonists for the treatment of restless leg syndrome (RLS). RLS is identified by the strong urge to move and is a dopamine-dependent disorder. RLS symptoms decrease with the use of drugs that stimulate dopamine receptors and increase dopamine levels, such as dopamine agonists.[13]