Dopamine, Alpha-synuclein, and autophagic cell death
How can oxidative stress contribute to alpha-synuclein pathology/toxicity? What oxidative modifications of alpha-synuclein are relevant to the PD pathogenic process?
Daniela F Hernandez, Columbia
04 Feb 2010
Elevated cytosolic DA levels have been shown to result in increased neurotoxicity in cellular models of PD (Mosharov et al., 2009). In a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research, ... 
Dihydropyridines, pacemaking and Parkinson's disease
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 ... 
The interaction of calcium and NMDA conductances and the activity of dopamine neurons
A Clue to Neuron Vulnerability
John Williams, OHSU
15 Dec 2009
Three recent papers published in the Journal of Neuroscience address the mechanisms that underlie the activity of dopamine neurons in the Substantia Nigra.  The interest in this work stems from ... 
Commentary on Palminter et al. (2009) Pharmacological modulation of subliminal learning in Parkinson's and Tourette's syndromes
Cognitive Symptoms
Michael J Frank, Brown
28 Oct 2009
Several studies have shown that cognitive reinforcement learning processes are altered in Parkinson's disease, and are particularly sensitive to effects of dopaminergic medication. While off ... 
Summary of SYMPOSIUM: Protein Networks Regulating Dopamine Homeostasis
Hot Topics@SfN 2009
Ruth G Perez, PITT
26 Oct 2009
The SfN minisymposium “Protein Networks Regulating Dopamine Homeostasis” on October 20th, co-chaired by Ruth G. Perez and Gonzalo Torres of the University of Pittsburgh, revealed novel ... 
DA levels and corticostriatal synaptic plasticity; functional recovery using TAT2A
Hot Topics@SfN 2009
Farzad Mortazavi, BUMC
22 Oct 2009
Noted on Tuesday, Oct 20 ... 
In vivo knockdown of GRK6 by microRNA exacerbates L-DOPA induced dyskinesia in 6-OHDA rat.
Hot Topics@SfN 2009
Quentin Barraud, INB-Bordeaux, et al.
18 Oct 2009
Enhanced signaling via dopamine receptors has been suggested to contribute to L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) in Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine receptors are desensitized via ... 
SYMPOSIUM: Protein Networks Regulating Dopamine Homeostasis
Hot Topics@SfN 2009
Ruth G Perez, PITT
13 Oct 2009
The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) contributes significantly to movement, reward, mood, cognition, and addiction.  As such, DA regulation is a critical factor in wellness and DA dysregulation ... 
Responses: 1