Pioglitazone may impair L-DOPA anti-parkinsonian efficacy in the MPTP-lesioned macaque: results of a pilot study

In this pilot study, pioglitazone, an agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, was administered to dyskinetic parkinsonian macaques. Pioglitazone alleviated L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia, but impaired L-DOPA anti-parkinsonian efficacy. These results suggest caution when administering pioglitazone to patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.