Abstract:

Parkinson''s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive destruction of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. The origin of this neuronal degeneration is unknown and probably involves many events including oxidative stress, inflammation, excitotoxicity and apoptosis. Current treatment consists of symptomatic relief, since there are no agents capable of inhibiting neuronal degeneration. Studies have shown that levetiracetam has an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic action, that may be correlated with possible neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases. This work aims to study the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) in an animal model of Parkinson''s disease induced by intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA by stereotactic surgery.