Oxidative stress in the aging substantia nigra and the etiology of Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT: Parkinson's disease prevalence is rapidly increasing in an aging global population. With this increase comes exponentially rising social and economic costs, emphasizing the immediate need for effective disease-modifying treatments. Motor dysfunction results from the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and depletion of dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway. While a specific biochemical mechanism remains elusive, oxidative stress plays an undeniable role in a complex and progressive neurodegenerative cascade. This review will explore the molecular factors that contribute to the high steady-state of oxidative stress in the healthy substantia nigra during aging, and how this chemical environment renders neurons susceptible to oxidative damage in Parkinson's disea

SUBMITTER: Trist BG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6826160 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature