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Hypertension & more ::
dopamines role in parkinsons disease
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Understanding dopamine's role in Parkinson's disease
Chemicals called neurotransmitters make such communications possible. Dopamine is one such neurotransmitter. Dopamine is produced by a group of cells called substantia nigra (the literal meaning is 'black substance'.) For reasons not well understood, these cells start to die off in some people. When about 80% of those cells are dead, dopamine production is seriously affected and so is the brain's ability to communicate with the body. This condition is known as Parkinson's disease. That, in a nutshell, is dopamine's role in Parkinson's disease. Researchers note that other changes take place in the brain as well -- changes related to the areas that control sensory inputs, emotions, the maternal instinct, etc. These may be the result of lowered dopamine production which causes communication changes within the brain. Or perhaps they are the result of whatever causes Parkinson's disease itself. Scientists are not sure about the right answer. Parkinson's is what is called a progressive and degenerative disease. Meaning, the disease gets worse with time (more of those cells die off) and the symptoms get worse as well. This disease often starts very innocuously. The person notices a very slight tremor on one hand or foot. They usually dismiss it thinking it is a transitory problem. The trembling spreads to the other limb on the same side of the body and eventually becomes more pronounced as well as frequent. Till date, there isn't a cure for Parkinson's disease. All doctors can do is to alleviate some of the symptoms. Dopamine's role in Parkinson's disease? Centerstage, in a sense. The chemical (or lack of it) is what causes the condition. .
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