Parkinsons

[Graphite]

How can you explain Parkinsons in terms of the effects of the basal ganglia?

[Glockmeister]

I might start off with a picture, because a picture speaks a thousand words and I'd get an essay out of this post.


http://www.cybermedicine2000.com/pharmacology2000/Central/Parkinson/park1.htm#Neuronal loss in Parkinson's Disease


The colours I believe indicate neuronal activity. The reder it is, the more activity.

To put it simply Parkinson's Disease is the neurodegenerative disorder where the dopamergic neurons within the basal ganglia (particular the pars compacta of the substantia nigra), are damaged over time. Because dopamine release by these cells provides neurological inhibition (that is, it stops other neurons from firing), the loss of such dopamergic neurons means that it is difficult for the brain to regulate movement input properly (because if the neurons controlling movement provide excessive inputs, there is no way of turning them 'off', so to speak). Therefore, the movement disorders associated with Parkinson's Disease are exhibited.

[Graphite]

Thank you so much!