Neurology Commons^™

Characterization Of Disease-Related Covariance Topographies With Ssmpca Toolbox: Effects Of Spatial Normalization And Pet Scanners, S. C. Peng, Y. L. Ma, P. G. Spetsieris, P. Mattis, Andrew Feigin, V. Dhawan, D. Eidelberg

Journal Articles

To generate imaging biomarkers from disease-specific brain networks, we have implemented a general toolbox to rapidly perform scaled subprofile modeling (SSM) based on principal component analysis (PCA) on brain images of patients and normals. This SSMPCA toolbox can define spatial covariance patterns whose expression in individual subjects can discriminate patients from controls or predict behavioral measures. The technique may depend on differences in spatial normalization algorithms and brain imaging systems. We have evaluated the reproducibility of characteristic metabolic patterns generated by SSMPCA in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We used [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose PET scans from patients with PD and normal controls. …

Thalamocortical Connectivity Correlates With Phenotypic Variability In Dystonia, An Vo, W. Sako, M. Niethammer, M. Carbon, S. B. Bressman, A. M. Ulug, D. Eidelberg

Journal Articles

Dystonia is a brain disorder characterized by abnormal involuntary movements without defining neuropathological changes. The disease is often inherited as an autosomal-dominant trait with incomplete penetrance. Individuals with dystonia, whether inherited or sporadic, exhibit striking phenotypic variability, with marked differences in the somatic distribution and severity of clinical manifestations. In the current study, we used magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging to identify microstructural changes associated with specific limb manifestations. Functional MRI was used to localize specific limb regions within the somatosensory cortex. Microstructural integrity was preserved when assessed in subrolandic white matter regions somatotopically related to the clinically involved limbs, …

Regional Brain Metabolism In A Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Model, An Vo, B. T. Volpe, C. C. Tang, W. K. Schiffer, C. Kowal, P. T. Huerta, A. M. Ulug, S. L. Dewey, D. Eidelberg, B. Diamond

Journal Articles

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by multiorgan inflammation, neuropsychiatric disorders (NPSLE), and antinuclear antibodies. We previously identified a subset of anti-DNA antibodies (DNRAb) cross-reactive with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, present in 30% to 40% of patients, able to enhance excitatory post-synaptic potentials and trigger neuronal apoptosis. DNRAb + mice exhibit memory impairment or altered fear response, depending on whether the antibody penetrates the hippocampus or amygdala. Here, we used 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) microPET to plot changes in brain metabolism after regional blood-brain barrier (BBB) breach. In DNRAb + mice, metabolism declined at the site of BBB breach in the first 2 …

Consistent Abnormalities In Metabolic Network Activity In Idiopathic Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder, P. Wu, H. Yu, S. C. Peng, Y. Dauvilliers, J. Wang, J. J. Ge, H. W. Zhang, D. Eidelberg, Y. L. Ma, C. T. Zuo

Journal Articles

Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder has been evaluated using Parkinson's disease-related metabolic network. It is unknown whether this disorder is itself associated with a unique metabolic network. F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was performed in 21 patients (age 65.0 +/- 5.6 years) with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder and 21 age/gender-matched healthy control subjects (age 62.5 +/- 7.5 years) to identify a disease-related pattern and examine its evolution in 21 hemi-parkinsonian patients (age 62.6 +/- 5.0 years) and 16 moderate parkinsonian patients (age 56.9 +/- 12.2 years). We identified a rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder-related metabolic network …

Internal Maxillary Artery-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass: Infratemporal Approach For Subcranial-Intracranial (Sc-Ic) Bypass, E. Nossek, P. Costantino, M. Eisenberg, A. R. Dehdashti, A. Setton, D. J. Chalif, R. A. Ortiz, D. J. Langer

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND:Internal maxillary artery (IMax)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass has been recently described as an alternative to cervical extracranial-intracranial bypass. This technique uses a keyhole craniectomy in the temporal fossa that requires a technically challenging end-to-side anastomosis.OBJECTIVE:To describe a lateral subtemporal craniectomy of the middle cranial fossa floor to facilitate wide exposure of the IMax to facilitate bypass.METHODS:Orbitozygomatic osteotomy is used followed by frontotemporal craniotomy and subsequently laterotemporal fossa craniectomy, reaching its medial border at a virtual line connecting the foramen rotundum and foramen ovale. The IMax was identified by using established anatomic landmarks, neuronavigation, and micro Doppler probe (Mizuho Inc. …

Intracellular Hmgb1 Inhibits Inflammatory Nucleosome Release And Limits Acute Pancreatitis In Mice, R. Kang, Q. Zhang, W. Hou, Z. Yan, R. Chen, J. Bonaroti, P. Bansal, T. R. Billiar, A. Tsung, Q. Wang, D. L. Bartlett, D. C. Whitcomb, E. B. Chang, X. Zhu, H. Wang, B. Lu, K. J. Tracey, L. Cao, X. G. Fan, M. T. Lotze, H. J., 3rd Zeh, D. Tang

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND & AIMS: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an abundant protein that regulates chromosome architecture and also functions as a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule. Little is known about its intracellular roles in response to tissue injury or during subsequent local and systemic inflammatory responses. We investigated the function of Hmgb1 in mice after induction of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We utilized a Cre/LoxP system to create mice with pancreas-specific disruption in Hmbg1 (Pdx1-Cre; HMGB1(flox/flox) mice). Acute pancreatitis was induced in these mice (HMGB1(flox/flox) mice served as controls) after injection of l-arginine or cerulein. Pancreatic tissues and acinar cells were …

Gene-Based Therapies In Parkinson's Disease, P. J. Allen, A. Feigin

Journal Articles

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized primarily by the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and diminution of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Though dopamine replacement therapies such as levodopa can improve the symptoms of PD, the benefits may be overshadowed by side effects and the onset of symptoms not responsive to dopaminergic treatments (e.g., autonomic symptoms, gait and balance problems, and cognitive impairment). Furthermore, no therapies have proven to slow the neurodegenerative process. Novel approaches to address these difficult problems, and others, are being sought. Over the last decade, several innovative gene therapies for PD have entered human clinical …

Mitochondrial Dna Copy Numbers In Pyramidal Neurons Are Decreased And Mitochondrial Biogenesis Transcriptome Signaling Is Disrupted In Alzheimer’S Disease Hippocampi, Ann C. Rice, Paula M. Keeney, Norah K. Algarzae, Amy C. Ladd, Ravindar R. Thomas, James P. Bennett

Neurology Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major cause of adult-onset dementia and is characterized in its pre-diagnostic stage by reduced cerebral cortical glucose metabolism and in later stages by reduced cortical oxygen uptake, implying reduced mitochondrial respiration. Using quantitative PCR we determined the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene copy numbers from multiple groups of 15 or 20 pyramidal neurons, GFAP(+) astrocytes and dentate granule neurons isolated using laser capture microdissection, and the relative expression of mitochondrial biogenesis (mitobiogenesis) genes in hippocampi from 10 AD and 9 control (CTL) cases. AD pyramidal but not dentate granule neurons had significantly reduced mtDNA copy numbers …

Clinical, Laboratory And Health-Related Quality Of Life Correlates Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Responder Index Response: A Post Hoc Analysis Of The Phase 3 Belimumab Trials, R. Furie, M. A. Petri, V. Strand, D. D. Gladman, Z. J. Zhong, W. W. Freimuth

Journal Articles

OBJECTIVE: Correlates of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Responder Index (SRI) response with clinical trial end points were examined using pooled data from the Study of Belimumab in Subjects with SLE (BLISS) trials (N=1684). METHODS: Changes in clinical, laboratory and health-related quality of life measures from baseline at 52 weeks were compared between SRI responders (n=761) and non-responders (n=923). RESULTS: More SRI responders than non-responders had >/=4-point (100% vs 3.8%) and >/=7-point (40.3% vs 1.3%) Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index reductions, no new British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) A and7.5 mg/d to7.5 …

Approaching The Next Revolution? Evolutionary Integration Of Neural And Immune Pathogen Sensing And Response, K. J. Tracey

Journal Articles

Mammalian immunity evolved by the process of natural selection that produced differential survival and reproduction advantages through combinations of hereditary traits underlying the response to pathogens. Primitive animals sense the presence of microbial pathogens through recognition of pathogen-derived molecules in their rudimentary immune and nervous systems. No molecular biological mechanism assigns primacy of pathogen sensing mechanisms to immune cells over neurons. Rather, in animals as diverse as Caenorhabditis elegans to mammals, neural reflexes are activated by the presence of pathogens and transduce neural mechanisms that control the development of immunity. A coming revolution in immunological thinking will require immunologists to …

Central Cholinergic Activation Of A Vagus Nerve-To-Spleen Circuit Alleviates Experimental Colitis, H. Ji, M. F. Rabbi, B. Labis, V. A. Pavlov, K. J. Tracey, J. E. Ghia

Journal Articles

The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is an efferent vagus nerve-based mechanism that regulates immune responses and cytokine production through alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7nAChR) signaling. Decreased efferent vagus nerve activity is observed in inflammatory bowel disease. We determined whether central activation of this pathway alters inflammation in mice with colitis and the mediating role of a vagus nerve-to-spleen circuit and alpha 7nAChR signaling. Two experimental models of colitis were used in C57BL/6 mice. Central cholinergic activation induced by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor galantamine or a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist treatments resulted in reduced mucosal inflammation associated with decreased major histocompatibility …

High-Mobility Group Box 1 Protein Initiates Postoperative Cognitive Decline By Engaging Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages, S. Vacas, V. Degos, K. J. Tracey, M. Maze

Journal Articles

Background: Aseptic trauma engages the innate immune response to trigger a neuroinflammatory reaction that results in postoperative cognitive decline. The authors sought to determine whether high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), an ubiquitous nucleosomal protein, initiates this process through activation and trafficking of circulating bone marrow-derived macrophages to the brain. Methods: The effects of HMGB1 on memory (using trace fear conditioning) were tested in adult C57BL/6J male mice; separate cohorts were tested after bone marrow-derived macrophages were depleted by clodrolip. The effect of anti-HMGB1 neutralizing antibody on the inflammatory and behavioral responses to tibial surgery were investigated. Results: A single …

Lymphocyte Called Home: Beta2-Adreneric Neurotransmission Confines T Cells To Lymph Nodes To Suppress Inflammation, K J. Tracey

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Mapping Human Brain Networks With Cortico-Cortical Evoked Potentials, C. J. Keller, C. J. Honey, P. Megevand, L. Entz, I. Ulbert, A. D. Mehta

Journal Articles

The cerebral cortex forms a sheet of neurons organized into a network of interconnected modules that is highly expanded in humans and presumably enables our most refined sensory and cognitive abilities. The links of this network form a fundamental aspect of its organization, and a great deal of research is focusing on understanding how information flows within and between different regions. However, an often-overlooked element of this connectivity regards a causal, hierarchical structure of regions, whereby certain nodes of the cortical network may exert greater influence over the others. While this is difficult to ascertain non-invasively, patients undergoing invasive electrode …

Nanocomposite Scaffold For Chondrocyte Growth And Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Effects Of Carbon Nanotube Surface Functionalization, N. O. Chahine, N. M. Collette, C. B. Thomas, D. C. Genetos, G. G. Loots

Journal Articles

The goal of this study was to assess the long-term biocompatibility of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) for tissue engineering of articular cartilage. We hypothesized that SWNT nanocomposite scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering can provide an improved molecular-sized substrate for stimulation of chondrocyte growth, as well as structural reinforcement of the scaffold's mechanical properties. The effect of SWNT surface functionalization (-COOH or -PEG) on chondrocyte viability and biochemical matrix deposition was examined in two-dimensional cultures, in three-dimensional (3D) pellet cultures, and in a 3D nanocomposite scaffold consisting of hydrogels + SWNTs. Outcome measures included cell viability, histological and SEM evaluation, GAG …

Targeting A Heterogeneous Tumor: The Promise Of The Interleukin-13 Receptor Alpha2, I. Bodhinayake, M. Ottenhausen, J. A. Boockvar

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Across The Menstrual Cycle: What Do Hormones Have To Do With It?, C. L. Harden

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Medical Management With Or Without Interventional Therapy For Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (Aruba): A Multicentre, Non-Blinded, Randomised Trial, J. P. Mohr, M. K. Parides, C. Stapf, E. Moquete, C. S. Moy, J. R. Overbey, R. A. S. Salman, E. Vicaut, R. Libman, Aruba Investigators Int, +12 Additional Authors

Journal Articles

Background The clinical benefit of preventive eradication of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations remains uncertain. A Randomised trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous malformations (ARUBA) aims to compare the risk of death and symptomatic stroke in patients with an unruptured brain arteriovenous malformation who are allocated to either medical management alone or medical management with interventional therapy. Methods Adult patients (>= 18 years) with an unruptured brain arteriovenous malformation were enrolled into this trial at 39 clinical sites in nine countries. Patients were randomised (by web-based system, in a 1: 1 ratio, with random permuted block design [block size 2, 4, …

Blood Levels Of S-100 Calcium-Binding Protein B, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, And Interleukin-6 For Changes In Depressive Symptom Severity After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Prospective Cohort Nested Within A Randomized, Controlled Trial, Daniel M. Pearlman, Jeremiah R. Brown, Todd A. Mackenzie, Felix, Jr. Hernandez, Souhel Najjar

Journal Articles

Background: Cross-sectional and retrospective studies have associated major depressive disorder with glial activation and injury as well as blood-brain barrier disruption, but these associations have not been assessed prospectively. Here, we aimed to determine the relationship between changes in depressive symptom severity and in blood levels of S-100 calcium-binding protein B (S-100B), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 following an inflammatory challenge. Methods: Fifty unselected participants were recruited from a randomized, controlled trial comparing coronary artery bypass grafting procedures performed with versus without cardiopulmonary bypass for the risk of neurocognitive decline. Depressive symptom severity was measured at baseline, discharge, and six-month …

Sudden Unexpected Nocturnal Death In Chiari Type 1 Malformation And Potential Role Of Opioid Analgesics, F. Roohi, T. Gropen, R. W. Kula

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND: Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1) is a common congenital anomaly of the craniocervical junction. CM1 is reported to run a usually benign course and patients typically experience no symptoms or chronic, slowly progressive symptoms. However, recent reports indicate that a subset of patients with CM1 may present with acute deterioration and sudden unexpected death (SUD). We report a case of SUD during sleep in a young man with CM1, which we believe was related to the administration of common and therapeutic doses of narcotic analgesics for the management of pain. We will clarify the pathophysiology of acute deterioration and …

Middle Cerebral Artery Arrow Sign, Z. D. Levy, R. E. Temes, A. R. Dehdashti

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Central Muscarinic Cholinergic Activation Alters Interaction Between Splenic Dendritic Cell And Cd4(+)Cd25(-) T Cells In Experimental Colitis, P. Munyaka, M. F. Rabbi, V. A. Pavlov, K. J. Tracey, E. Khafipour, J. E. Ghia

Journal Articles

Background: The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) is based on vagus nerve (VN) activity that regulates macrophage and dendritic cell responses in the spleen through alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7nAChR) signaling. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients present dysautonomia with decreased vagus nerve activity, dendritic cell and T cell over-activation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether central activation of the CAP alters the function of dendritic cells (DCs) and sequential CD4(+)/CD25(-)T cell activation in the context of experimental colitis. Methods: The dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid model of experimental colitis in C57BL/6 mice was used. Central, intracerebroventricular infusion of the M1 …

Head Impact Exposure In Male And Female Collegiate Ice Hockey Players, Bethany J. Wilcox, Jonathan G. Beckwith, Richard M. Greenwald, Jeffrey J. Chu, Thomas W. Mcallister, Laura A. Flashman, Arthur C. Maerlender, Ann-Christine Duhaime, Joseph J. Crisco

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to quantify head impact exposure (frequency, location and magnitude of head impacts) for individual male and female collegiate ice hockey players and to investigate differences in exposure by sex, player position, session type, and team. Ninety-nine (41 male, 58 female) players were enrolled and 37,411 impacts were recorded over three seasons. Frequency of impacts varied significantly by sex (males: 287 per season, females: 170, p < 0.001) and helmet impact location (p < 0.001) but not by player position (p = 0.088). Head impact frequency also varied by session type; both male and female players sustained more impacts in games than in practices (p < 0.001), however the magnitude of impacts did not differ between session types. There was no difference in 95th percentile peak linear acceleration between sexes (males: 41.6 g, females: 40.8 g), but 95th percentile peak rotational acceleration and HITsp (a composite severity measure) were greater for males than females (4424, 3409 rad/s2, and 25.6, 22.3, respectively). Impacts to the back of the helmet resulted in the greatest 95th percentile peak linear accelerations for males (45.2 g) and females (50.4 g), while impacts to the side and back of the head were associated with the greatest 95th percentile peak rotational accelerations (males: 4719, 4256 rad/sec², females: 3567, 3784 rad/sec², respectively). It has been proposed that reducing an individual’s head impact exposure is a practical approach for reducing the risk of …

Development Of Status Epilepticus, Sustained Calcium Elevations And Neuronal Injury In A Rat Survival Model Of Lethal Paraoxon Intoxication, Laxmikant Sudhir Deshpande, Dawn S. Carter, Kristin Phillips, Robert E. Blair, Robert J. Delorenzo

Neurology Publications

Paraoxon (POX) is an active metabolite of organophosphate (OP) pesticide parathion that has been weaponized and used against civilian populations. Exposure to POX produces high mortality. OP poisoning is often associated with chronic neurological disorders. In this study, we optimize a rat survival model of lethal POX exposures in order to mimic both acute and long-term effects of POX intoxication. Male Sprague–Dawley rats injected with POX (4 mg/kg, ice-cold PBS, s.c.) produced a rapid cholinergic crisis that evolved into status epilepticus (SE) and death within 6–8 min. The EEG profile for POX induced SE was characterized and showed clinical and …

Seizure Detection, Seizure Prediction, And Closed-Loop Warning Systems In Epilepsy, S Ramgopal, S Thome-Souza, M Jackson, N E. Kadish, I Sanchez Fernandez, J Klehm, William Bosl, C Reinsberger, S Schachter, T Loddenkemper

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Nearly one-third of patients with epilepsy continue to have seizures despite optimal medication management. Systems employed to detect seizures may have the potential to improve outcomes in these patients by allowing more tailored therapies and might, additionally, have a role in accident and SUDEP prevention. Automated seizure detection and prediction require algorithms which employ feature computation and subsequent classification. Over the last few decades, methods have been developed to detect seizures utilizing scalp and intracranial EEG, electrocardiography, accelerometry and motion sensors, electrodermal activity, and audio/video captures. To date, it is unclear which combination of detection technologies yields the best results, …

Cerebral Pressure Passivity In Newborns With Encephalopathy Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia, Rathinaswamy B. Govindan, An Nguyen Massaro, Nickie N. Andescavage, Taeun Chang, Adre J. Du Plessis

Neurology Faculty Publications

We extended our recent modification of the power spectral estimation approach to quantify spectral coherence. We tested both the standard and the modified approaches on simulated data, which showed that the modified approach was highly specific and sensitive to the coupling introduced in the simulation while the standard approach lacked these features. We also applied the modified and standard approaches to quantify the pressure passivity in 4 infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia. This was done by measuring the coupling between continuous cerebral hemoglobin differences and mean arterial blood pressure. Our results showed that the modified approach identified a lower pressure passivity …

Lysosomal Abnormalities In Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Types Spg15 And Spg11, Benoit Renvoise, Jaerak Chang, Rajat Singh, Sayuri Yonekawa, Edmond J. Fitzgibbon, Ami Mankodi, Adeline Vanderver, Alice B. Schindler, Camilo Toro, William A. Gahl, Don J. Mahuran, Craig Blackstone, Tyler Pierson

Neurology Faculty Publications

Objective

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are among the most genetically diverse inherited neurological disorders, with over 70 disease loci identified (SPG1-71) to date. SPG15 and SPG11 are clinically similar, autosomal recessive disorders characterized by progressive spastic paraplegia along with thin corpus callosum, white matter abnormalities, cognitive impairment, and ophthalmologic abnormalities. Furthermore, both have been linked to early-onset parkinsonism.

Methods

We describe two new cases of SPG15 and investigate cellular changes in SPG15 and SPG11 patient-derived fibroblasts, seeking to identify shared pathogenic themes. Cells were evaluated for any abnormalities in cell division, DNA repair, endoplasmic reticulum, endosomes, and lysosomes.

Results

Fibroblasts …

Implicit Sequence Learning In People With Parkinson's Disease, Katherine R. Gamble, Thomas J. Cummings, Steven E. Lo, Pritha T. Ghosh, James H. Howard, Darlene V. Howard

Neurology Faculty Publications

Implicit sequence learning involves learning about dependencies in sequences of events without intent to learn or awareness of what has been learned. Sequence learning is related to striatal dopamine levels, striatal activation, and integrity of white matter connections. People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons, leading to dopamine deficiency and therefore striatal deficits, and they have difficulties with sequencing, including complex language comprehension and postural stability. Most research on implicit sequence learning in PD has used motor-based tasks. However, because PD presents with motor deficits, it is difficult to assess whether learning itself is impaired in these …

Assessing Function And Endurance In Adults With Spinal And Bulbar Muscular Atrophy: Validity Of The Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool., Michael O. Harris-Love, Lindsay Fernandez-Rhodes, Galen Joe, Joseph A. Shrader, Angela Kokkinis, Alison La Pean Kirschner, Sungyoung Auh, Cheunju Chen, Li Li, Ellen Levy, Todd E. Davenport, Nicholas A. Di Prospero, Kenneth H. Fischbeck

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

Purpose. The adult myopathy assessment tool (AMAT) is a performance-based battery comprised of functional and endurance subscales that can be completed in approximately 30 minutes without the use of specialized equipment. The purpose of this study was to determine the construct validity and internal consistency of the AMAT with a sample of adults with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA).

Methods. AMAT validity was assessed in 56-male participants with genetically confirmed SBMA (mean age, 53 ± 10 years). The participants completed the AMAT and assessments for disease status, strength, and functional status. Results. Lower AMAT scores were associated with longer …

Examining A Link Between Paraquat, Alpha-Synuclein Fibrillation And Neurodegeneration: A Review, Nikhil Ailaney

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive motor system disorder that is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the central nervous system. At the molecular level, Parkinson’s disease works by decreasing the concentrations of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical messenger involved in motor messaging, within the central nervous system. Low levels of dopamine in the central nervous system causes motor system dysfunction because the insufficient levels of dopamine lead to an inability for neurons to successfully transmit motor messages. At the organismal level, Parkinson’s disease causes tremors, Bradykinesia, and rigidity. These symptoms ultimately lead to a diminished quality …