How does dopamine cause Parkinson's disease?

In this educational video from Parkinson's UK, we find out more about Parkinson's disease. The film explains that Parkinson's disease develops in the substantia nigra part of the brain when the cells begin to die. read more

Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by low and falling dopamine levels A person with Parkinson's has abnormally low dopamine levels. Dopamine-generating cells, known as dopaminergic neurons (types of nerve cells) in the substantia nigra part of the brain have died. read more

Without these cells, dopamine can't be produced, resulting in a complete lack of dopamine. Parkinson's patients have muscular problems because dopamine is no longer sending messages between the brain and muscles. Symptoms include bradykinesia (slowed movement), tremors, pain and rigid movements. read more

With the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells, these parts of the brain are unable to work normally, causing symptoms of Parkinson's to appear. The level of dopamine then continues to fall slowly over many years, causing symptoms to further develop and new symptoms to appear. read more

In Parkinson’s disease, dopamine-containing cells in the substantia nigra degenerate and die out. Parkinson’s disease patients who are treated with too much L-dopa, a precursor of dopamine, may experience psychosis similar to psychosis seen in schizophrenia. read more