[Neuroplasticity and Parkinson disease]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cellular Biology
• Neurology

Context:

• Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize, is increasingly recognized in the adult central nervous system (CNS).
• Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), a neurodegenerative disorder, provides a key model for studying adult neuroplasticity.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for developing effective IPD treatments.

Purpose:

• To review the modes of neuroplastic changes occurring during idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).
• To illustrate these changes using recent literature data, considering both disease progression and treatment effects.
• To explore the potential of neuroplasticity as a basis for future therapeutic strategies in IPD.

Summary:

• Neuroplasticity manifests in the adult CNS, notably in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).
• Plastic changes in IPD result from dopaminergic denervation, leading to hyperactivity in remaining neurons and enhanced corticostriatal glutamatergic activity.
• Dopaminergic treatment induces plasticity, including altered glutamate receptor phosphorylation and D1 dopamine receptor internalization.

Impact:

• This review highlights the dynamic nature of the brain in neurodegenerative conditions like IPD.
• It provides a scientific rationale for exploring neuroplasticity-based therapies.
• Findings suggest that harnessing neuroplasticity could lead to novel treatment approaches for Parkinson's disease.