Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Drugs in Movement Disorders: From Parkinson's Disease to Related Conditions – How They Work, Current Evidence, and Future Prospects

Preclinical studies show neuroprotective effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in movement disorders.

• GLP-1 signaling may influence neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and impaired protein management.
• Preservation of dopaminergic neurons and reduction of α-synuclein aggregation have been observed in preclinical studies.
• Early randomized trials of exenatide and lixisenatide in Parkinson's disease suggested modest motor benefits.
• Larger studies, such as the phase III Exenatide-PD3 trial, did not show significant clinical benefits.
• Preliminary signals of efficacy have been reported in multiple system atrophy, but evidence in Huntington's disease and essential tremor is mostly limited to preclinical findings.

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