Pathophysiology of Parkinson: An Updated Review

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous molecule which functions as a neurotransmitter, hormone, free radical, etc. NO has been found to regulate the release of neurotransmitters, synaptic transmission, cell death, etc. NO is involved in the pathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. NO plays a key role in cellular apoptosis and neuronal degeneration. Parkinson' disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunction that can be seen in the patients suffering from PD. The motor dysfunction is due to the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in mid brain. Dopamine (DA) is highly reactive molecule and is prone to the oxidation very much. The oxidation of DA is accompanied by the production of the reactive oxygen species that activates microglia cells. Upon activation, microglia cells cause the upregulation of inducible NO synthase, the enzyme involved in the production of NO. NO thus plays a key role in the neurodegeneration process implicated in PD. Thus, the aim of the present manuscript is to describe the possible role of NO in PD.Copyright © 2018 iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation. All rights reserved.