β-adrenoreceptors and the risk of Parkinson's disease

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2020Source: The Lancet NeurologyAuthor(s): Franziska Hopfner, Günter U Höglinger, Gregor Kuhlenbäumer, Anton Pottegård, Mette Wod, Kaare Christensen, Caroline M Tanner, Günther DeuschlSummaryBackgroundβ-adrenoceptors are widely expressed in different human organs, mediate important body functions and are targeted by medications for various diseases (such as coronary heart disease and heart attack) and many β-adrenoceptor acting drugs are listed on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. β-adrenoceptor antagonists are used by billions of patients with neurological disorders, primarily for the treatment of migraine and action tremor (mainly essential tremor), worldwide.Recent developmentsAn observational study reported a link between the chronic use of the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, while the chronic use of the β-adrenoceptor agonists was associated with a decreased risk. Further support of this association was provided by a dose-dependent decrease in the risk of Parkinson's disease with chronic β-adrenoceptor agonist (eg, salbutamol) use, and by functional data indicating a possible underlying molecular mechanism. Five additional epidemiological studies have examined the modulation of the risk of Parkinson's disease as a result of the use of β-adrenoceptor-acting drugs in different populations. Overall, similar estimates but different interpretations of the ass...
Source: The Lancet Neurology - Category: Neurology Source Type: research