The neuromythology of Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Over the last century three central points have become the orthodox dogma accepted and taught by those who study Parkinson's Disease. These are: Parkinson's Disease is one disease. Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra are an acceptable hallmark of Parkinson's Disease. Lewy bodies are responsible for the death of nigral neurons in Parkinson's Disease. Each of these tenets now present difficulties, and we are beginning to enter an era in which we must look critically at the current evidence to decide whether each dictum can be sustained.