PET Scans and Increasing Dopamine

In class, I learned that Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that leads to tremors, difficulty in movement, coordination, and numerous other affects in bodily functions. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, becomes less active. Dopamine is involved with muscle control. Due to this, Parkinson’s disease is likely to occur because there is loss of neurons that produce dopamine.  I was wondering if increasing dopamine in the nervous system can prevent the disease, but it was difficult to find information on this matter. However, I did find that there is no scientific advancement at this moment to avert Parkinson’s disease. Researchers are currently examining any common abnormality that all diagnosed people have to determine people who are apt in obtaining Parkinson’s disease. In the meantime, there are technological advances that have an impact on the understanding of the disease. For example, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans the brain to identify visuals of chemical changes as they take place (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). The PET provides a way to examine dopamine receptors to observe if the failure of dopamine activity comes before or after the deterioration of neurons that create dopamine.
 I think this scrutiny is very much needed because it sounds more like “chicken or egg” situation. Do the neurons that produce dopamine causes loss of dopamine or does dopamine level drop before the neurons fail? For this reason, I was interested to explore the significance of dopamine and its effect, in terms of Parkinson’s disease.


 I also found that increasing antioxidant intake can be a safeguard for neurons that produce dopamine, so they are less prone to be affected by free radicals. On the other hand, foods that are high in fat and cholesterol can cause dopamine level to be low (Integrative Psychiatry). I think maintaining a good amount of dopamine as we age might avert the likelihood of Parkinson’s disease. Given that dopamine levels are reduced by stress, some antidepressants, bad nutrition, and a few other factors, it might be highly necessary to maintain a feasible amount of dopamine to age well.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm
http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/dopamine.html