Abstract

Abstract Reported benefits of various glutamatergic receptor antagonists in Parkinson's disease (PD) prompted an evaluation of the antidyskinetic effect of a putative glutamate release inhibitor in 15 moderately advanced patients. In a 3‐week, double‐blind, proof‐of‐concept study, riluzole (200 mg/day) failed to alter parkinsonian or levodopa‐induced motor complication severity. Opposing effects of a generalized inhibition of glutamate‐mediated synaptic transmission may limit the usefulness of this approach to treat PD. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society