Substantial Matters: Life & Science Of Parkinsons

Dyskinesia is a condition involving erratic, uncontrollable muscle movements such as twitches, jerks, twisting, or writhing of the face, arms, legs, or trunk. It can be a complication after long-term use of levodopa to treat Parkinson’s disease. Dyskinesias can be mild, or they may be severe enough to interfere with normal functioning.   Basic laboratory research has revealed some of the changes in the brain after long-term exposure to levodopa. In this episode, Kathy Steece-Collier, PhD, a professor in the Department of Translational Neuroscience in the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids, discusses her research into the biologic mechanisms of levodopa-induced dyskinesias and a possible future prevention and treatment for them.   Funded by an International Research Grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation, she delineated the role of calcium channels, which allow calcium to enter nerve cells in the brain, in the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesias. Based on those findings,