The substantia nigra: Parkinson's disease destroys the dopaminergic neurons that live in a part of the midbrain called the substantia nigra (dark substance). The loss of Dopamine causes the basal ganglia to malfunction and this causes the slowness, tremor and dementia.
Answered 3/11/2015
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OK, here goes: Parkinson's disease is a problem of misfolded protein and predominantly affects the basal ganglia or striatum. Substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei such a dorsal vagal nucleus and locus coeruleus are also afflicted. The dementia issues affect more widespread areas and this suggests that parkinson's disease affects more than dopamine.
Answered 11/3/2012
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