This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition associated with a loss in the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra resulting in bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability. PD may be initiated and/or mediated by a variety of genetic and environmental factors including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and the actions of excitotoxins, such as glutamate. The purpose of this study is to visualize and characterize the chemical spectra in the substantia nigra with a 4-Tesla magnet. State of the art high-field magnetic resonance is used to measure the neurochemical profile in the brain, including N-Acetyl-Aspartate (NAA), glutamate, and glutathione. The data obtained will be analyzed to determine if there are significant changes in PD, as opposed to control subjects.
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