Publication Date
Spring 4-25-2012
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Major
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Primary Subject Area
Biology, Neuroscience
Keywords
Parkinson's disease, protein aggregation, alpha-synuclein, L-DOPA
Disciplines
Medical Neurobiology | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience | Nervous System Diseases | Neurology
Recommended Citation
Vahey, Delia, "Parkinson’s Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Treatments" (2012). Senior Honors Theses. 292.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/292
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is a motor system disorder that is caused primarily by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The most affected brain structure is the pars compacta of the substantia nigra. This area of the brain is essential to the control of voluntary movement, and so its impairment leads to symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and impaired balance. The neuronal protein alpha-synuclein has been shown to be heavily involved in the pathogenesis of the disease at the cellular level. The currently available treatments for PD mainly target dopamine regulation, and there been no cure developed for the disease at present. New treatments must be explored by an evaluation and synthesis of the current research and should be adjusted for each patient individually.
Included in
Medical Neurobiology Commons, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Commons, Nervous System Diseases Commons, Neurology Commons
