Parkinson's Disease: Clinical Signs and Symptoms, Neural Mechanisms, Positron Emission Tomography, and Therapeutic Interventions
Parkinson's disease is one of the most frequent neurodegenerative brain diseases. Its time course is slow and is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic and other brainstem neurons resulting in malfunctioning of the cerebral neuronal systems responsible for motor functions. The clinic...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2001-01-01
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| Series: | Neural Plasticity |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/NP.2001.99 |
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| Summary: | Parkinson's disease is one of the most
frequent neurodegenerative brain diseases. Its
time course is slow and is characterized by
progressive loss of dopaminergic and other
brainstem neurons resulting in malfunctioning of
the cerebral neuronal systems responsible for
motor functions. The clinical signs are slowness
of movement, muscle rigidity and rest-tremor
amongst other features. The cause of the disease
is unknown, but recently involvement of genetic
factors is being researched. Positron emission
tomography (PET) allows in vivo determination
of striatai dopaminergic activity. This has
increased our insight in the pathophysiology of
the disease and permits direct study of disease
progression at a biochemical level and equally to
monitor whether potential neuroprotective interventions
are indeed effective. Thus far no drug
has emerged but promising substances are
currently being studied. |
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| ISSN: | 2090-5904 1687-5443 |