Main description:

Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists have shown great promise in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease and alleviation of symptoms. This book addresses various aspects of this class of drugs from their chemical development to their clinical use. Among the many insightful chapters contained in this book, there are three unique reviews that have not previously been published in any format: (1) a history of istradefylline, the first A2A antagonist approved for treatment of Parkinson's Disease, (2) an overview of neuroimaging studies in human death and disease and (3) a study of urate as a possible biomarker and neuroprotectant.

Contents:

Adenosine A2A receptors: localization and function.- Allosteric Mechanisms in the adenosine A2A-dopamine D2 receptor heteromer.- Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists in drug development.- Adenosine A2A Receptors and Neurotrophic Factors: Relevance for Parkinson's Disease.- Role of adenosine A2A receptors in the control of neuroinflammation - relevance for Parkinson's disease.- Purines in Parkinson's: Adenosine A2A receptors and urate as targets for neuroprotection.- Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists as drugs for symptomatic control of Parkinson's disease in preclinical studies.- Dopamine/adenosine interactions related to tremor in animal models of Parkinsonism.- Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists in L-DOPA-induced motor fluctuations.- Adenosine A2A receptor-mediated control of non-motor functions in Parkinson's disease.- Imaging Studies with A2A Receptor Antagonists.- Caffeine and neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease.- The story of istradefylline - the first approved A2A antagonist for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.- Adenosinergic Receptor Antagonists: Clinical Experience in Parkinson's Disease.- Adenosinergic regulation of sleep-wake behavior in the basal ganglia.