Procedure for assessing the behavioral effects of novel anti-parkinsonian drugs in normal and MPTP-treated marmosets following central microinfusions

Comparison between drug effects in MPTP- and non-MPTP-treated marmosets following intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intraputamen administration are given in the present report. Both side-effect profiles and the ability to reverse MPTP-induced hypokinesia were assessed using a variety of dopamine receptor agonists (quinpirole, PHNO, ADTN), cholinergic antagonists (scopolamine, secoverine, himbacine), a glutamate receptor antagonist (MK801) and a 5-HT receptor agonist (8-OH-DPAT). Our results show that direct infusion of agents into the putamen or via the ICV route can reverse parkinsonian-like symptoms in marmosets. Furthermore, chronic implanatation of cannulae into the putamen or ventricles of nonhuman primates can be useful in assessing the therapeutic activity of agents that do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier.