GLIAL-CELLS AND INFLAMMATION IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE - A ROLE IN NEURODEGENERATION

The data reviewed here show that, in Parkinson's disease (PD), some do paminergic neurons are more vulnerable than others to the pathologic p rocess. The glial cells surrounding dopaminergic neurons may be involv ed in this selective vulnerability. One subpopulation of glial cells, in particular, may play a neuroprotective role by metabolizing dopamin e and scavenging oxygen free radicals that are associated with dopamin e metabolism. Another subpopulation of glial cells may be deleterious to dopaminergic neurons. This effect may be mediated by the production of nitric oxide and cytokines, which may in turn account for the oxid ative stress observed in the substantia nigra of patients with PD. Fin ally, this inflammatory reaction may result in the induction of apopto sis.