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. 2010;25 Suppl 1(0 1):S141-5.
doi: 10.1002/mds.22782.

Enhancing neuroplasticity in the basal ganglia: the role of exercise in Parkinson's disease

Giselle M Petzinger  1 , Beth E Fisher, Jon-Eric Van Leeuwen, Marta Vukovic, Garnik Akopian, Charlie K Meshul, Daniel P Holschneider, Angelo Nacca, John P Walsh, Michael W Jakowec
Affiliations

Enhancing neuroplasticity in the basal ganglia: the role of exercise in Parkinson's disease

Giselle M Petzinger et al. Mov Disord. 2010.

Abstract

Epidemiological and clinical trials have suggested that exercise is beneficial for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the underlying mechanisms and potential for disease modification are currently unknown. This review presents current findings from our laboratories in patients with PD and animal models. The data indicate that alterations in both dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, induced by activity-dependent (exercise) processes, may mitigate the cortically driven hyper-excitability in the basal ganglia normally observed in the parkinsonian state. These insights have potential to identify novel therapeutic treatments capable of reversing or delaying disease progression in PD.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: Nothing to report.

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