Disrupted Neurotransmitter Function

Dopamine , Acetylcholine, GABA

Synaptic transmissionImage from NIA, NIHSynaptic transmissionImage from NIA, NIHThe disruption of dopaminergic function, and ultimate loss of dopamine neurons, is the hallmark of PD, and this eventually leads to the cardinal motor symptoms of PD: bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor.

However, PD also involves changes in neurotransmitter biochemistry beyond the dopaminergic system. Evidence for involvement of specific neurotransmitter systems in PD derives from post mortem histology, in vivo functional imaging, and the effects of pharmaceutical treatments. The non-dopaminergic neurotransmitters affected in Parkinson’s disease, and are therefore potential targets for therapeutic development, are noradrenaline (norepinephrine), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine and neuropeptides (Francis and Perry, 2007).

Some PD symptoms, particularly those that are not responsive to dopamine replacement therapy, may result from this disruption of other neurotransmitter pathways.

 

 

 

 

Reference: 
Francis PT, Perry EK. Cholinergic and other neurotransmitter mechanisms in Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's disease dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Mov Disord. 2007;22 Suppl 17:S351-7.
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Contributions:
Dihydropyridines, pacemaking and Parkinson's disease
MEMBERS' OPEN FORUM: for rapid-fire posting of your questions and comments.
James Surmeier, Northwestern
06 Jan 2010
The posting by Dr. Levitan does not substantively address any of the core concerns expressed in our recent commentary about the Putzier et al. paper. Again, the fundamental issue is whether high ... 
Response to Dr. Surmeier
A Clue to Neuron Vulnerability
Edwin Levitan, PITT
04 Jan 2010
We were pleased that Dr. Williams noted the significance of Putzier et al. (2009), which showed that Cav1.3 channels support nigral dopamine neuron pacemaker activity and amplify bursts by virtue of ... 
Responses: 1
Calcium, pacemaking and neuronal vulnerability
A Clue to Neuron Vulnerability
James Surmeier, Northwestern
19 Dec 2009
Dr. Williams has written an informative and insightful assessment of some of the recent work bearing on calcium and the selective vulnerability of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic ... 
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New Research: L-type Calcium channels are not necessary for pacemaking in SNc dopaminergic neurons
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