Improved dopamine receptor agonists for Parkinson’s

A study published in Nature Communications showed that non-catechol dopamine D1 receptor agonists reduced receptor desensitization, suggesting the compounds could help treat Parkinson's disease better than available dopamine replacement therapies.

Marketed D1 receptor selective agonists contain a catechol group, which desensitize the receptors and reduce treatment response after long-term exposure. Catechols also have poor CNS penetration, oral bioavailability and are quickly metabolized...