Unblocking dopamine in the brain

…in his quest to understand the biology of dopamine, one of the chemical communication systems in the brain. The loss of dopamine-producing brain cells ultimately results in Parkinson’s disease. Currently,…

Dopamine and dyskinesia: investigating new areas of the brain

…like levodopa provide to try to replace the dopamine that is being depleted in Parkinson’s. If the BNST gets flooded with too much dopamine, which is a signalling chemical, that…

How toxic forms of alpha-synuclein get into these dopamine-producing brain cells

…disease. Researchers know misshapen or mutated forms of alpha-synuclein form clumps and ultimately kill brain cells that produce dopamine. Dopamine is the signaling chemical that communicates with other brain cells…

Exercise and omegas: an inexpensive, accessible way to boost dopamine in the brain

…levels of dopamine in the brain. Calon also has some preliminary data indicating that giving animals omega-3s after they have been exposed to toxins that create Parkinson-like symptoms increases dopamine…

How toxic forms of alpha-synuclein get into these dopamine-producing brain cells

…disease. Researchers know misshapen or mutated forms of alpha-synuclein form clumps and ultimately kill brain cells that produce dopamine. Dopamine is the signalling chemical that communicates with other brain cells…

Researchers uncover a mechanism regulating dopamine levels in the brain

…remove the Rgs6 gene, this relieves a brake against excessive dopaminergic signalling. As a result, excess free dopamine accumulation causes cellular stress, which, in turn, causes the neurons to die….

Dopamine dance against PD raises hope and strength for World Parkinson’s Day

…What started as an optimistic and defiant tweet against Parkinson’s had become a mini-internet sensation. This gave Barbara an idea. Together, with founding PD Avenger member, Richelle Flanagan, Dopamine dance…

A new angle on basic Parkinson’s research

…cell release dopamine. Until now, most researchers have focused on dopamine released from the axon terminals – the buttons at the end of the brain cells that signal other neurons,…

Piecing together the Parkinson’s puzzle: Investigating the impact of alpha-synuclein fibrils on dopaminergic neurons’ activity

Frédérique Larroquette PhD student McGill University At McGill University, Frédérique Larroquette, a PhD student, is conducting basic research to determine why only the brain cells that produce dopamine are vulnerable…

Stem Cell-Based Therapies to Treat Parkinson’s

…half of their dopamine neurons. Current medications for Parkinson’s typically include symptomatic treatments that focus on alleviating motor symptoms (such as tremors) by giving artificial forms of dopamine (e.g., levodopa)….