[Research progress on striatal D2-MSNs plasticity mediated improvement of motor dysfunction by exercises in...

Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurodegenerative condition, manifests predominantly through the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) pathways, culminating in a notable depletion of striatal dopamine. This pathophysiological process critically impairs the DA-mediated regulation of motor behaviors within the basal ganglia circuitry, particularly impacting various subtypes of striatal medium spiny neurons. Recent advancements in neuroscientific research have illuminated the pivotal role of D2-dopamine receptor expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) plasticity in coordinating motor control in PD. Intriguingly, aerobic exercise emerges as a potent therapeutic intervention, capable of preventing or improving motor impairments. This ameliorative effect is mediated through the modulation of DA receptor activity and the consequent activation of downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) signaling pathway. This article meticulously reviewed the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing the structural and functional plasticity of striatal D2-MSNs in the context of PD. It particularly emphasized the transformative impact of aerobic exercise on motor deficits in PD, attributing this effect to the modulation of striatal D2-MSNs.