Technologies

Invention:This technology is to repurpose ketamine as a treatment for levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) associated with the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background:Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating disorder that affects over 1.5 million Americans. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, although a number of drug combinations are currently used to treat the disease symptoms. Over the past decade, only five new drugs have been FDA approved for the management of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa (brand names Lavodopa®, Dopar®) is the gold standard for Parkinson’s disease treatment, but features significant drawbacks, including the major side effect of dyskinesia and a loss of effectiveness over time. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) has been identified by the regulatory authorities, patient advocacy groups such as Michael J. Fox Foundation, and key opinion leaders as a huge unmet medical need.

Long-term effect of sub-anesthetic ketamine in reducing L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in a preclinical model. Bartlett MJ, Joseph RM, LePoidevin LM, Parent KL, Laude ND, Lazarus LB, Heien ML, Estevez M, Sherman SJ, Falk T.Neuroscience Letter, 2016; 612: 121-5.

Case reports showing a long-term effect of subanesthetic ketamine infusion in reducing L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias. Sherman SJ, Estevez M, Magill AB, Falk T.Case Reports in Neurology, 2016; 8: 53-58.

Table from the case report: