Work

Living on the edge with too many mouths to feed: Why dopamine neurons die

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Although genes, protein aggregates, environmental toxins, and other factors associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) are widely distributed in the nervous system and affect many classes of neurons, a consistent feature of PD is the exceptional and selective vulnerability of dopamine (DA) neurons of the SNc. What is it about these neurons, among all other neurons in the brain, that makes them so susceptible in PD? We hypothesize that a major contributory factor is the unique cellular architecture of SNc DA neuron axons. Their large, complex axonal arbour puts them under such a tight energy budget that it makes them particularly susceptible to factors that contribute to cell death, including unique molecular characteristics associated with SNc DA neurons and nonspecific, nervous-system-wide factors.

Source: Movement Disorders

DOI: 10.1002/mds.25135

Authors: J. Paul Bolam, Eleftheria K. Pissadaki

Institutions: University of Oxford, Medical Research Council, University of Crete

Language: English

Topic: Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Parkinson's UK, Medical Research Council