Mechanisms of neurodegeneration in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
The discovery of mutations in hereditary forms of Parkinson's disease has implicated aggregation of a-synuclein, dysfunction of protein turnover and mitochondrial dysfunction as important mediators in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Subsequent studies have shown that these factors also represent hallmarks of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Cell death mechanisms include excitotoxicity, calcium overload, apoptosis and autophagia. Here, I will briefly review the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease and point out potential treatment options.
Schulz
Jörg B
JB
Department of Neurodegeneration & Restorative Research, Center for Neurological Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany. jschulz4@gwdg.de
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*