NUR 290 Lecture 29: Parkinson
Document Summary
It"s a neuro disease that gradually starts to affect movement. The dopaminergic neurons in the part of the brain called substantia nigra have started to die. This area is part of the basal ganglia which is part of the midbrain that controls movements. They release the neurotransmitter dopamine, which allows us to have accuracy with movement. Therefore, if they are dying this will lower the amounts of dopamine available to our body for normal movement. Normally in the nervous system there is a balance between acetylcholine (an excitatory neurotransmitter) and dopamine (an inhibitory neurotransmitter). Therefore, the loss of dopamine leads to more acetylcholine being able to produce more excitatory affects to the neurons in the basal ganglia and this leads to overstimulation tremors, rigidity (increased cholinergic activity) etc. Key points about parkinson"s disease: the disease tends to occur in older age 60+ (however it can affect younger people example: michael j.
