Dissipating a Slow Torture

While three companies are targeting metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 to treat levodopa-induced dyskinesia, Addex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. was the first to publicly report significant preclinical effects on both the chorea and dystonia components of the condition. The company now hopes to replicate that effect in a Phase II trial of lead compound ADX48621 due to start this quarter.

Levodopa is used to treat the signs and symptoms of PD, but long-term use frequently results in involuntary movement known as levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). Dyskinesia has two main components: chorea (sudden, rapid uncontrolled movements) and dystonia (slow, writhing movements and sustained, painful, muscle contractions)...