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Age and Parkinson’s Disease-Related Neuronal Death in the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta

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Birth, Life and Death of Dopaminergic Neurons in the Substantia Nigra

Part of the book series: Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementa ((NEURALTRANS,volume 73))

Abstract

During aging, decline in memory and cognitive abilities as well as motor weakening is of great concern. The dopaminergic system mediates some aspects of manual dexterity, in addition to cognition and emotion, and may be especially vulnerable to aging. A common neurodegenerative disorder of this system, Parkinson’s disease, is characterized by a selective, progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. This review includes studies quantifying age and Parkinson’s-related changes of the substantia nigra, with emphasis on stereological studies performed in the substantia nigra pars compacta.

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Abbreviations

MPTP:

1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine

DA-ergic:

Dopaminergic

GABA:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

VTApn:

Paranigral part of VTA

PD:

Parkinson’s disease

SNpc:

SN pars compacta

SNpr:

SN pars reticularis

SN:

Substantia nigra

SNCA:

Synuclein alpha

TH+:

Tyrosine hydroxylase-positive

VTA:

Ventral tegmental area

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  1. Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Nina Eriksen, Anette Kirstine Stark & Bente Pakkenberg

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  1. Nina Eriksen
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  3. Bente Pakkenberg
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Correspondence to Nina Eriksen .

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  1. Fac. Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Palermo, Corso Tukory 129, Palermo, 90134, Italy

    Giuseppe Giovanni

  2. Mario Negri, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche, Via Nazionale 8, Santa Maria Imbaro, 66030, Italy

    Vincenzo Di Matteo

  3. Mario Negri, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche, Via Nazionale 8, Santa Maria Imbaro, 66030, Italy

    Ennio Esposito

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© 2009 Springer-Verlag/Wien Printed in Germany

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Eriksen, N., Stark, A.K., Pakkenberg, B. (2009). Age and Parkinson’s Disease-Related Neuronal Death in the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta. In: Giovanni, G., Di Matteo, V., Esposito, E. (eds) Birth, Life and Death of Dopaminergic Neurons in the Substantia Nigra. Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementa, vol 73. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-92660-4_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-92660-4_16

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