The scientific world has experienced leaps in research and establishing developments in understanding clinical neurochemistry, but there is always more to be discovered and innovated. For diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s and discovering their subsequent paths to recovery, a basic understanding of the neurons and neurotransmitters of the brain must be acquired.
Chemicals in the brain are called neurons. These neurons act as communicators for the brain, whether it be for emotional responses or action stimulators. They communicate with areas called neurotransmitters, which will send messages through small spaces called synapses. However, these messages will only be accepted by those who accept them, like a key. Once attached, they will use a “stop” or “go” signal to indicate whether that neuron should continue firing the signal to the others. All these processes occur in an instant. Then, after the action, all the neurotransmitters must then be gotten rid of, which can be done in one of three ways. Either the released chemical could be pumped back into the nerve ending, called “reuptake”, the neurotransmitter can be destroyed by nearby enzymes, or they may be spread to other areas of the brain and destroy them there. There are three types of neurotransmitters in the brain. These are dopamine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acids (GABA). Serotonin produces chemicals which cause the feeling that people associate with happiness. These chemicals can be used to treat conditions such as depression, social anxiety, or or excessive shyness. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter concerned processes of movement, emotional response, pain, and happiness. Imbalances in these neurotransmitters cause conditions such as Parkinson’s and schizophrenia. Finally, there is Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This is the main neurotransmitter which prevents a brain’s neurons from firing, acting as almost a stop light. Certain types of epilepsy are caused by a shortage of these chemicals.
Certain imbalances in these neurotransmitters and their production of chemicals cause diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and many others. Parkinson’s disease is a long-term disease that affects the movement of the affected person. Parkinson’s disease can be caused by a shortage of dopamine in the brain, or the neurotransmitters that control movement (See Figure 1). In order to advance their research in the area, a basic awareness of the causes of the disease must have been known. Research for potential cures or treatments for the disease are still ongoing, questioning past methods and continuing to build on past information of the brain and the human body. In the past, deep brain stimulation has been used as a treatment for Parkinson’s. The procedure involves planting electrodes in a certain part of a brain to stimulate that area. There is no actual interference with the chemical production of dopamine involved. To this day, scientists are still unsure of exactly how these procedures work, but the best comparison given is to a pacemaker for the brain. Dr. Jill Ostrem, a doctor working on potential cures for Parkinson’s, explained, “We knew that if you created a lesion on the brain in part of the basal ganglia called the globus pallidus interna, which is also within the circuit of these deep nuclei within the brain that control movement, that if you lesion this part of the brain, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease would become better treated. So this led the possibility of implanting a stimulator there and delivering an electrical current, with certain parameters”. However, new techniques are currently coming to the surface as to best treat the course of Parkinson’s. Since activists have been raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease, much more companies have invested in their research of the Medtronic devices for deep brain stimulation. They’ve been researching new and faster ways to approach DBS electrodes. Before, the common procedure was to use an MRI to scan the brain in order to find the spots and map them. Then, during surgery, they would use microelectrode recording, or listening to the sound of the cells as they are moving through the brain. Through this, they could find the desired location for the electrodes. Now, they’re working on a way using a real-time MRI. The patient would be asleep for the entire procedure. The MRI would take the picture of the brain while the electrodes are being placed on. There would be no need for microelectrode recording, significantly decreasing the time required.
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I find this topic super interesting because my grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson's a few years ago. Do you know if/do you think it would possible for scientists to artificially produce and administer neurotransmitters in order to fix the imbalance in Parkinson's patients?
ReplyDeleteSo I also think this is a really cool topic, I was wondering if this is a hereditary disease. Also why is it that only older people develop this?
ReplyDeleteSo far scientist stated that Parkinson is not an hereditary disease because there are no proof that support the assumption that Parkinson is an inherititary disease. The reason why Parkinson disease normally occur in older people is because this disease will only develop when the cell in the substantial nigra start to die. This is because the cell in the substantial nigra produce a chemical known as dopamine, which sends a signals to control the movement and coordination of the body.
DeleteI have always been interested in neurosciences ever since I was diagnosed with epilepsy. They gave me the low down on what my brain was doing. They told me that it is like a circuit being disconnected and reconnected. Now understanding that the neurotransmitter and neurons from your topic is really neat. Also that the neurotransmitter has such a critical role in our brains. Such as that if there is an imbalance in the chemicals it can lead to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. In my discussion topic I did nuclear imaging which involves a PET Scan. This scan takes 3D images of the entire body. This scan can also early diagnose Alzheimer's.
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