Which of the following is thought to play a role in the deficits seen in motor control in people with Parkinson's disease?
A) Loss of forebrain cholinergic neurons
B) An imbalance between striatal cholinergic interneuron activity and dopaminergic input to the striatum
C) Excitation of midbrain dopamine neurons by the pontine cholinergic cells
D) Damage to the BFCS

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, which leads to an imbalance between striatal cholinergic interneuron activity and dopaminergic input to the striatum. This imbalance results in motor deficits such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Loss of forebrain cholinergic neurons is seen in Alzheimer's disease, while excitation of midbrain dopamine neurons by the pontine cholinergic cells has not been implicated in Parkinson's disease. Damage to the BFCS (basal forebrain cholinergic system) is also seen in Alzheimer's disease, not Parkinson's disease.

Which of the Following Is Thought to Play a Role