This is a very interesting story, but assumes a widespread underlying premise that is incorrect. Namely that dopaminergic substantia nigra neurons are selectivley damaged in Parkinson Disease. It is true that dopaminergic SN neurons are selectively reduced as compared to other neurons in the SN, but there is considerable evidence that non-dopaminergic neurons are also lost, and lost early in PD. Indeed, dopaminergic SN neurons may not be the first to go. This issue is dealt with in a thought-provoking review published this year, see Ahlskog, 2005. Anyone thinking seriously about PD should bear this issue in mind.
References:
Ahlskog JE.
Challenging conventional wisdom: the etiologic role of dopamine oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease.
Mov Disord. 2005 Mar;20(3):271-82.
PubMed.
Comments
Goizueta Institute @ Emory Brain Health
This is a very interesting story, but assumes a widespread underlying premise that is incorrect. Namely that dopaminergic substantia nigra neurons are selectivley damaged in Parkinson Disease. It is true that dopaminergic SN neurons are selectively reduced as compared to other neurons in the SN, but there is considerable evidence that non-dopaminergic neurons are also lost, and lost early in PD. Indeed, dopaminergic SN neurons may not be the first to go. This issue is dealt with in a thought-provoking review published this year, see Ahlskog, 2005. Anyone thinking seriously about PD should bear this issue in mind.
References:
Ahlskog JE. Challenging conventional wisdom: the etiologic role of dopamine oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2005 Mar;20(3):271-82. PubMed.
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