In Parkinson's disease, the neural
network circuits involved in motor control are disrupted, leading to
characteristic motor symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity. The
primary brain regions affected in Parkinson's disease include the basal ganglia
and the cortex. Here is an overview of how neural network circuits work in
Parkinson's disease:
1.
Basal
Ganglia Dysfunction: The basal ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei
involved in motor control. In Parkinson's disease, there is a loss of
dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to decreased
dopamine levels in the basal ganglia. This dopamine depletion results in
abnormal signaling within the basal ganglia circuitry, leading to motor
symptoms.
2.
Cortical
Involvement: The cortex, particularly the motor cortex, plays a crucial role in
initiating and coordinating voluntary movements. In Parkinson's disease,
abnormal activity in the cortex, especially in the beta and gamma frequency
bands, is observed and is associated with motor symptoms.
3.
Disrupted
Neural Circuits: The communication between the basal ganglia, cortex, and other
brain regions is disrupted in Parkinson's disease. This disruption leads to
difficulties in initiating and controlling movements, resulting in the
characteristic motor symptoms of the disease.
4.
Deep
Brain Stimulation (DBS): Deep brain stimulation is a therapeutic approach that
involves the implantation of electrodes in specific brain regions, such as the
subthalamic nucleus (STN) or globus pallidus, to modulate neural activity and
alleviate motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. DBS works by delivering
electrical impulses to targeted brain regions to normalize neural activity and
improve motor function.
5.
Research
Advances: Recent research has focused on decoding neural activity patterns
associated with specific motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. By
understanding the neurophysiological fingerprints of tremor and bradykinesia,
researchers aim to develop more targeted and personalized treatment strategies,
such as closed-loop DBS paradigms that can adapt stimulation parameters based
on real-time neural signals.
By studying the neural network
circuits involved in Parkinson's disease and developing innovative treatment
approaches, researchers aim to improve the management of motor symptoms and
enhance the quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson's disease.
Lauro, P. M., Lee, S., Amaya, D. E., Liu, D. D., Akbar, U.,
& Asaad, W. F. (2023). Concurrent decoding of distinct neurophysiological
fingerprints of tremor and bradykinesia in Parkinson’s disease. eLife, 12, e84135. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.84135
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