Basic Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease
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Dopamine
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In Parkinson's disease, cells in the brain that produce the neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) dopamine die or stop working, according to Medline Plus.
Features
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It has not been determined precisely what causes dopamine-producing cells to die, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, it is known that the loss of these cells leads to a lack of muscle control, according to Medline Plus.
Theories
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Some theories for the loss of dopamine-producing cells in Parkinson's disease include aging (cells are lost naturally over time), exposure to neurotoxins (chemicals that kills brain cells) and a possible genetic predisposition, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Lewy Bodies
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Lewy bodies are unusual deposits of the protein synuclein, which develop in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, according to the University of Minnesota Department of Neurology.
Considerations
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There are only a few cases of Parkinson's disease in which Lewy bodies do not develop, according to Merck Manuals. Lewy bodies are also found in a number of other neurological diseases, according to the University of Minnesota Department of Neurology.
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