Copyright © 2004 Priya Shah
Parkinson's Disease (PD) a devastating illness occurs in one of every 100 people over 65.
It is a slowly progressing disease of the nervous system that results in progressive destruction of brain cells (neurons) in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. Death occurs usually as a result of secondary complications such as infection.
One of the mechanisms known to destroy neurons is damage by free radicals or reactive oxygen species - destructive molecules produced by oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
The Role of Dopamine
The cells of the substantia nigra use dopamine - a chemical messenger between brain or nerve cells - to communicate with cells in another region of the brain called the striatum.
When nigral cells are lost nigral dopamine levels fall resulting in a decrease in striatal dopamine.
The typical symptoms of PD - motor function deficiencies characterized by muscle rigidity jerky movements rhythmic resting tremors - are the result of low levels of striatal dopamine. ...
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