Development of Parkinson’s

Due to a lack of dopamine in the brain, the “switchboards of the body’s own network” have difficulty transmitting information.

What happens in Parkinson's disease?

In Parkinson's disease the nerve cells (= neurons) of the Substantia nigra, a structure in the midbrain (= mesencephalon), are affected. The Substantia nigra ("black substance") is part of a network, the basal ganglia. It is here that the chemical messenger (= neurotransmitter) dopamine is formed.

Neurotransmitters make sure that information from one part of the network can get to the next part via their attack on the switching points (= synapses).

Dopamine, as a chemical messenger, is essential for the error-free functioning of numerous motor processes.

In Parkinson's disease when the nerve cells of the Substantia nigra perish, a corresponding lack of dopamine occurs.

Causes of Parkinson's disease

Why dopamine-producing nerve cells in the Substantia nigra die has not been explained up to now. Heredity only plays a subordinate roll in the development of Parkinson's disease.

At present, environmental influences are one of several causes under discussion as triggering factors. Detailed knowledge however, is not yet available.

Drug therapy

Medications prescribed for Parkinson's help in the adjustment of the dopamine deficiency that has arisen.