Unraveling the Mystery of Parkinson's Disease
3D TH Imaging Reveals Key Clues
Unraveling the Intricate World of Dopamine in Mouse Brains
Have you ever wondered what the key enzyme behind dopamine synthesis looks like in three dimensions? Enter tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme that’s critical to the creation of dopamine. TH is a powerful tool for observing the nerve fiber bundles between dopaminergic neurons in the circuit, especially in mouse brains where it can be used to compare the quantity and state of dopamine in substantia nigra pars compacta to basal ganglia.

Unraveling the Intricate World of Dopamine in Mouse Brains
Have you ever wondered what the key enzyme behind dopamine synthesis looks like in three dimensions? Enter tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme that’s critical to the creation of dopamine. TH is a powerful tool for observing the nerve fiber bundles between dopaminergic neurons in the circuit, especially in mouse brains where it can be used to compare the quantity and state of dopamine in substantia nigra pars compacta to basal ganglia.

So, what does a three-dimensional view of dopamine look like in mouse brains?
Imagine a breathtaking panoramic view of the overall tissue state under low magnification and a detailed, up-close look at each cell and nerve under high magnification. It’s a truly stunning sight to behold.




Now, let’s talk about Parkinson’s disease (PD), a chronic neurodegenerative condition that strikes around the age of 50-60. Symptoms include tremors, slow movements, and balance disorders, and dopamine plays a critical role in the disease.
Now, let’s talk about Parkinson’s disease (PD), a chronic neurodegenerative condition that strikes around the age of 50-60. Symptoms include tremors, slow movements, and balance disorders, and dopamine plays a critical role in the disease.
Dopamine &
Parkinson’s
Disease
Dopamine regulates motor behavior, cognitive execution, and emotional activities, and when the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SNc) become damaged and degenerate, it leads to a blockade of neurotransmitter synthesis and insufficient secretion, causing a decrease in dopamine transmission to the basal ganglia. With dopamine levels below 60-80%, even healthy individuals can experience motor function abnormalities.
Exploring the Power of Three-Dimensional Imaging in the Fight Against Parkinson's Disease
A recent study published in PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34918781/) sheds new light on the potential of three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging in the fight against Parkinson’s disease (PD). The authors of the study conducted experiments on 10-month-old model mice with PD and compared their results with mice without the disease. The experiments included behavioral tests, conventional sections, and three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging using the Nebulum 3D Whole Tissue Imaging technology.

The study aimed to determine the impact of chronic colitis on the symptoms of PD and found that three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging offered a wealth of information that traditional methods couldn’t provide. The authors used the technology to label and enumerate dopamine and compare dopamine levels in the substantia nigra (SNc) and basal ganglia in mouse brains.

The study aimed to determine the impact of chronic colitis on the symptoms of PD and found that three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging offered a wealth of information that traditional methods couldn’t provide. The authors used the technology to label and enumerate dopamine and compare dopamine levels in the substantia nigra (SNc) and basal ganglia in mouse brains.
What they discovered was truly eye-opening. Three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging showed that the TH nerve fiber density was lower from SNc to basal ganglia in LRRK2 G2019S mice with colitis compared to mice without colitis, despite comparable widths of TH fiber bundles in all groups.


What they discovered was truly eye-opening. Three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging showed that the TH nerve fiber density was lower from SNc to basal ganglia in LRRK2 G2019S mice with colitis compared to mice without colitis, despite comparable widths of TH fiber bundles in all groups.


The study further demonstrated the versatility of three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging by observing cross sections of nerve fibers. The authors identified the center of the nigrostriatal pathway and obtained cross sections at perpendicular angles, revealing significant differences in the number of nodes between the cross sections.
The study further demonstrated the versatility of three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging by observing cross sections of nerve fibers. The authors identified the center of the nigrostriatal pathway and obtained cross sections at perpendicular angles, revealing significant differences in the number of nodes between the cross sections.

The results showed that the number of dopaminergic nerve fibers decreased and became loose in mice with PD and colitis, indicating severe loss of dopaminergic connections from SNc to basal ganglia in these mice.

The results showed that the number of dopaminergic nerve fibers decreased and became loose in mice with PD and colitis, indicating severe loss of dopaminergic connections from SNc to basal ganglia in these mice.
In conclusion, this study highlights the power of three-dimensional whole-tissue imaging in uncovering the impact of chronic colitis on the progression of Parkinson’s disease. It suggests that chronic colitis increases the loss of TH-positive neurons, providing new insight into the fight against this debilitating condition.
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