What is the primary therapeutic use of amantadine in Parkinson's disease?

Amantadine is primarily used in the management of Parkinson's disease due to its dopaminergic effects. It acts as a weak antagonist of the NMDA receptor, which helps to modulate glutamate activity in the brain, a neurotransmitter involved in movement control. By promoting the release of dopamine and inhibiting its reuptake in certain pathways, amantadine can help alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as rigidity and bradykinesia.

In this context, unlike other options, amantadine's primary mechanism effectively targets the dopaminergic system, making it valuable in treating motor symptoms. This unique profile sets it apart from COMT inhibitors, anticholinergics, and its antiviral properties, which, while present, are not its main therapeutic use in Parkinson’s treatment. Both COMT inhibition and anticholinergic effects primarily relate to other classes of drugs that specifically address different aspects of Parkinson’s symptoms, while antiviral activity is not relevant in the context of treating the disease itself.