{"id":"e9d4fd6d-8366-4985-9f58-978df111f9a0","slug":"from-the-bench-to-the-bedside-emerging-science-in-parkinsons-disease-cholesterol-metabolism-and-neuroprotection","title":"From the bench to the bedside: Emerging science in Parkinson’s disease, cholesterol metabolism, and neuroprotection","authors":["Jason S. Hauptman"],"abstract":"Background: This article discusses the relationship between Parkinson's disease, cholesterol metabolism, and neuroprotection. It highlights how Parkinsonian motor symptoms can be modeled by activating specific basal ganglia pathways. Additionally, it explores the role of cholesterol metabolism regulated by brain circuits and its implications for neuroprotection. Methods: The authors utilized channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) to selectively activate D1- or D2-positive medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum of animal models. They conducted experiments to observe the effects of activating these pathways on motor behavior and cholesterol levels, employing techniques such as fiber-optic probes and intracerebroventricular injections. Results: Activation of D1-positive MSNs led to increased ambulation and decreased freezing, alleviating Parkinsonian symptoms, while activation of D2-positive MSNs resulted in bradykinesia and decreased locomotion. Furthermore, modulation of melanocortin signaling was shown to affect cholesterol levels, with ghrelin increasing HDL cholesterol and GLP-1 reducing it, independent of food intake. Conclusion: The findings support the classical model of basal ganglia function and suggest that manipulating these circuits can have therapeutic potential for Parkinson's disease. Additionally, the study provides insights into the regulation of cholesterol metabolism through brain signaling pathways, indicating a complex interplay between neurological function and metabolic health. Keywords: Parkinson's disease, cholesterol metabolism, neuroprotection, basal ganglia, melanocortin signaling, optogenetics, motor behavior, gut-brain axis","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2010-08-10T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.68339","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/3212/SNI-1-42.pdf"}