Oxidative Injury and Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration: Role of Oxidative Stress in Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease

The major anatomical features of Parkinson?s disease (PD) are the decrease in the number of neuromelanin-containing neurons located in the midbrain substantia nigra compacta (SNC). These dopaminergic neurons are projected to the striatum as well as a number of other subcortical regions. Degradation of the dopaminergic neurons located in the SNC and a subsequent loss of dopaminergic nerve terminals in the striatum are responsible for most of the movement disorders. Although the underlying cause of dopaminergic cell death or process by which these cells degenerate in PD is not clearly understood but oxidative stress is thought to play an important role. Oxidative stress is characterized by decreased levels of glutathione and impaired mitochondrial complex I. Besides the decreased levels of glutathione and impaired mitochondrial complex I, another important component supporting the role of oxidative stress in PD is heavy metals like Iron, Aluminum and Mercury.