Relatively spared mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system in juvenile parkinsonism.
This study aims to examine the function of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system, including the amygdala, in recognizing emotions in juvenile parkinsonism (JP). Eleven patients with JP and 16 age-matched controls selected one basic emotion (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, or disgust) that best described the emotional state represented by visual and auditory stimuli. There was no significant difference between the patients and normal controls in their recognition of emotions. The spared emotion recognition in JP could be attributed to the absence of any pathological changes or the normal dopamine concentrations in the mesocorticolimbic system in this condition.
Yoshimura
Nahoko
N
Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan HMTC Ebara Hospital, 4-5-10 Higashiyukigaya Ota-ku, Tokyo 145-0065, Japan. nyoshi-e@ebara-hp.ota.tokyo.jp
Yokochi
Masayuki
M
Kan
Yayoi
Y
Koyama
Shinichi
S
Kawamura
Mitsuru
M
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*
D004298:Dopamine