Question

explain the pathophysiology and underlying manifestations of parkinson's disease

Answer 1

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder which leads to the production of less dopamine in the brain. The exact mechanism of pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease remains unknown but a large number of scientists believe that the degeneration of dopaminergic neurones in the nigrostriatal pathway produces less dopamine which leads to Parkinsonism. There are 4 main pathways of dopamine production out of which the nigrostriatal pathway has a much higher significance. The nigrostriatal pathway connects midbrain with the forebrain and forms the basal ganglia motor loop which maintains the circulation of dopamine through dopaminergic neurones. The degeneration occuring in these dopaminergic neurones leads to the production of less dopamine which causes symptoms related to Parkinson's disease. The cause of degeneration may be genetic or acquired. The major symptoms of Parkinson's disease are:-

1. Tremor

2. Gait

3. Loss of motor activity etc.

The inflammation and the degeneration of the neurons occurs through the formation of reactive oxygen species which are produced by microglia on acute inflammation in the brain. The reactive oxygen species produced gives rise to an increase in immune response causing inflammation and subsequently damage to the neurones which ultimately produces Parkinson's disease.