Boost for dopamine packaging protects brain in Parkinson's model

 

June 17, 2014

An increase in the protein that helps store dopamine, a critical brain chemical, led to enhanced dopamine neurotransmission and protection from a Parkinson's disease-related neurotoxin in mice in a recent study. Dopamine and related neurotransmitters are stored in small storage packages called vesicles by the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2). When released from these packages dopamine can help regulate movement, pleasure, and emotional response.

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Dopamine and related neurotransmitters are stored in small storage packages called vesicles by the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2). When released from these packages dopamine can help regulate movement, pleasure, and emotional response. Low dopamine levels are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and recent research has shown that VMAT2 function is impaired in people with the disease.

Transgenic mice with increased levels of VMAT2 led to an increase in dopamine release. In addition, it improved outcomes on anxiety and depressive behaviors, increased movement, and protection from MPTP, the chemical that can cause Parkinson's disease-related damage in the brain.

"This work suggests that enhanced vesicular filling can be sustained over time and may be a viable therapeutic approach for a variety of central nervous system disorders that involve the storage and release of dopamine, serotonin, or norepinephrine."