Early Dopaminergic Dysfunction Induces PRO-VGF Changes in Blood and Brain of Rats with Alpha-Synuclein Overexpression.

ABSTRACT: Previous research revealed a reduction in the VGF immunoreactivity within the substantia nigra (SN) of rats with a 60-90% dopaminergic neuron loss and in the plasma of newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Hence, our aim was to explore whether central and peripheral proVGF changes occur during early dopaminergic dysfunction. To investigate this, we employed a rat model mimicking early-stage PD by injecting the SN unilaterally with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying either the human α-synuclein (α-syn; n = 19) or green fluorescent protein (GFP; n = 18) gene. After conducting motor assessments and sacrificing the animals, brain and blood samples were collected. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-, and phosphorylated (p)-α-syn antibodies were used

SUBMITTER: Manca E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12575455 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature