The role of glial cells in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra p ars compacta. The loss of these neurons is associated with a glial response composed mainly of activated microglial cells and, to a lesser extent, of reactive astrocytes. This glial response may be the source of trophic facto rs and can protect against reactive oxygen species and glutamate. Aside fro m these beneficial effects, the glial response can mediate a variety of del eterious events related to the production of reactive species, and pro-infl ammatory prostaglandin and cytokines. This article reviews the potential pr otective and deleterious effects of glial cells in the substantia nigra par s compacta of Parkinson's disease. Curr Opin Neurol 14:483-489. (C) 2001 Li ppincott Williams & Wilkins.