Parkinson's disease affects the cerebral basal ganglia, resulting in tremors in limbs, slowness in beginning and completing movements, and other abnormalities of muscle control. The specific population of neurons involved degenerates and thus fails to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. An obvious treatment option to try is to administer dopamine, yet this is completely ineffective at
alleviating the symptoms. Propose a reason why this treatment fails, and a related alternative to address the dopamine deficit. (Hint: Think about how the brain protects itself from chemicals in the blood.)
What will be an ideal response?
Dopamine administered to a Parkinson's patient fails to cross the blood-brain barrier. Treatment with the dopamine precursor L-dopa, however, is effective, as this molecule can cross the barrier.
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