The pathobiology of Parkinson's disease: biochemical aspects of dopamine neuron senescence

Abstract

The intracellular generation of reactive forms of reduced oxygen, namely, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and hydroxyl radical, can damage dopamine neurons. Oxy-radicals, and hydrogen peroxide generated by monoamine oxidase, can contribute to increased rates of senescence of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease. The evidence that oxy-radicals and monoamine oxidase are potentially cytotoxic is reviewed, and a pathobiology of dopamine neuron senescence in Parkinson's disease is proposed.