Relationship between nigral injury, dopamine handling and dyskinesia in Parkinsonism

Funded Activity Summary

Parkinson's Disease is a disabling condition that results from loss of nerve cells (neurones) in the part of the brain known as the substantia nigra (SN). These neurones make dopamine. Symptoms become apparent when 80% of these neurones are gone, suggesting that compensation can occur in the brain. Dopamine can be replaced with the drug L-dopa. Unfortunately this benefit is not sustained and is frequently marred by the production of unpleasant writhing wriggling movements called dyskinesia. These movements can also complicate the treatment for schizophrenia and other neurological conditions. The way the brain compensates for loss of SN neurones and why dyskinesia occur is unknown. However we present a hypothesis that the mechanisms for compensation also produce the dyskinesia. We have shown that an injury to the SN results in a compensatory response of vigorous sprouting of the surviving dopamine neurones. This sprouting may also explain why dyskinesias occur. The aim of this study is to establish whether the degree of compensatory response corresponds with the severity of dyskinesia and how this compensatory response can be modified or regulated.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2000

End Date: 01-01-2000

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $65,685.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical infection agents (incl. prions)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Axonal Sprouting | Dopamine | Dyskinesia | Health related to ageing | Movement Disorders | Nervous system and disorders | Parkinson's disease | Regeneration | Substance abuse

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