Characterisation of the neuroprotective effects of the new metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 positive allosteric modulator against dopaminergic degeneration in Parkinson’s disease models
Giulia Urone, Monica Frinchi, Miriana Scordino, Giuseppe Savona, Alessandra Montalbano, Marilia Barreca, Virginia Spanò, Paola Barraja, Giuseppa Mudò, Valentina Di Liberto · FENS Forum 2024
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal circuit, and the development of motor and non-motor symptoms. Currently, no disease-modifying pharmacological treatments are available, and dopamine-based therapies help to mitigate symptoms but also cause side-effects. In this context, indirect evidence has suggested that activation of metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 3 (mGluR3) exerts neuroprotective effects in animal models of PD. However, the lack of selective agonists/ligands for this receptor has hindered more in-