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Are orphan neurones responsible for Parkinson’s disease? In a recent review, Willis and Armstrong suggest Parkinson’s disease (PD) is caused by an excess of dopamine in an area of the brain far from the striatum - challenging the widely accepted hypothesis that PD is caused by a deficiency of striatal dopamine. The area, believed by the authors to be involved in PD, is around the diencephalon/mesencephalon border of the brain. This is packed with ascending and descending neurones which are functionally transformed during degeneration, releasing neurotransmitters which cause neurotoxicity. These neurones are collectively known as ‘orphan’ neurones. After scrutinising research on the replacement of dopamine aimed at minimising parkinsonian symptoms, the reviewers suggest that the original approach to therapy may be misguided and instead novel treatment strategies, including non-invasive, pharmacological and surgical interventions, are required to address this dopamine excess and orphan neurone formation. In addition, this novel hypothesis clearly explains the inter-relationship between PD and schizophrenia and other related neuropsychiatric disorders. Source: Willis GL & Armstrong SM. Brain Research Reviews 1998; 27(3): 177-242, updated 29/09/98 -- Cheers , +----| Joao Paulo de Carvalho |------ + | [log in to unmask] | +--------| Salvador-Bahia-Brazil |------+