The Impact of Exercise on the Vulnerability of Dopamine Neurons to Cell Death in Animal Models of Parkinson's Disease
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) results in part from the loss of dopamine (DA) neurons. We hypothesize that exercise reduces the vulnerability of DA neurons to neurotoxin exposure and have outlined experiments to test this hypothesis in rats treated with one of several neurotoxins, beginning with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Over the past year, we established a staff, the training, and most of the methodology needed to perform these studies. Subsequently, we have observed the following: (1) Casting protects against the effects of 6-OHDA administered along DA axons or in terminal fields. (2) This protection appears to result from the blockade of DA neuron degeneration. (3) There is little or no protection against the neuropathological and behavioral effects of 6-OHDA with treadmill running using the paradigms examined. (4) Exposure to very low levels of 6-OHDA results in significant protection against higher levels of 6-OHDA exposure. We have three primary objectives for the coming year: to complete our attempts to protect against 6-OHDA toxicity with treadmill running, explore other forms of exercise, and use an effective form of exercise to examine the relation between exercise duration and protection as well as the temporal relation between exercise, time of toxin exposure and protection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA425957
Entities
People
- Michael J. Sigmond
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh