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Parkinson's Disease

Loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. Lewy body formation. Alpha-synuclein aggregation.

Substantia nigra

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Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Lewy bodies containing alpha-synuclein aggregates are pathological hallmarks. Bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, and postural instability define the motor syndrome; non-motor symptoms include depression, sleep disorders, and cognitive decline. Levodopa and deep brain stimulation of subthalamic nucleus are mainstays of treatment.

Symptoms

TremorBradykinesiaRigidityPostural instabilityNon-motor symptoms

Neurology

Loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. Lewy body formation. Alpha-synuclein aggregation.

Treatments

LevodopaDopamine agonistsDeep brain stimulationPhysical therapySpeech therapy

Gallery

Parkinson's neuroimaging

Parkinson's neuroimaging

Dopamine pathways

Dopamine pathways

Dopaminergic neuron

Dopaminergic neuron

Videos

2-Minute Neuroscience: Basal Ganglia

Neuroscientifically Challenged

Dopamine & Motivation

Huberman Lab

Related in NeuroSphere

dopaminebasal gangliamotor controlparkinsons

Explore Further

BrainFacts — Parkinson's

via BrainFacts.org

Riisfeldt — Movement Disorders

via Riisfeldt Neurology Education

NeuroWiki — Parkinson_disease

via NeuroWiki

AAN — Parkinson's Resources

via AAN Medical Student Resources

Poewe et al. — Parkinson disease review

via PubMed

Lancet Neurology — Parkinson's treatment

via The Lancet Neurology

Sources & Attribution

BrainFacts.org Riisfeldt Neurology Education PubMed