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Writer's pictureLisa Tataryn

Why Stress Worsens Parkinson's: New Dopamine Pathway Discovered

Have you ever wondered why Parkinson’s symptoms, like tremors or anxiety, can worsen under emotional stress? New research from MIT provides some answers that could change how we think about managing this disease. Scientists have uncovered two previously unknown pathways in the brain that regulate dopamine, the key neurotransmitter involved in both movement and mood. For people with Parkinson’s, understanding how these pathways work opens up exciting possibilities for improved treatment.



The latest research reveals two newly discovered brain pathways that control dopamine, the neurotransmitter that affects everything from movement to mood. Since dopamine is crucial and often in short supply in Parkinson’s, understanding these pathways opens doors to innovative treatment possibilities.




What Did Scientists Uncover? You might know that the striatum, the part of the brain that coordinates movement, has two main circuits: one that says “go” to movement and one that says “no-go.” These circuits rely on dopamine, and when dopamine levels drop—as they do in Parkinson’s—movement and mood suffer. But this new research adds an extra layer to what we know.


MIT researchers identified two additional dopamine pathways that interact directly with dopamine-producing neurons. Here’s what they found:

  1. A Dopamine-Boosting Pathway: This circuit encourages dopamine release, which supports smoother movement and helps counteract Parkinson’s symptoms. Think of it as a reinforcement team for the traditional “go” pathway, making movement feel a little easier.

  2. A Dopamine-Reducing Pathway: This pathway does the opposite, decreasing dopamine to restrict movement. It’s like an emergency brake for the brain, but in Parkinson’s, it can get stuck and make symptoms worse.


What’s especially interesting is how these pathways connect to parts of the brain involved in processing emotions, called striosomes. This link explains why emotional stress can make Parkinson’s symptoms flare up. It’s not just a motor problem; emotional and motivational signals are all tangled up with movement in these circuits.


In summary, striosomes act as a bridge, linking the brain's emotional responses to dopamine regulation. They fine-tune dopamine output based on emotional and motivational cues, making movement and mood regulation more sensitive to stress. This explains why emotional stress can significantly worsen Parkinson’s symptoms: striosomes modulate the dopamine balance in ways that either help or hinder movement, depending on the emotional context.


When you're stressed, anxious, or experiencing strong emotions, your striosomes get a surge of emotional input. This surge can tip the balance, making it even harder for your brain to regulate dopamine levels. For someone with Parkinson’s, this can worsen movement symptoms or cause unexpected movement issues.


The Role of Neurofeedback This discovery sheds light on the idea that self-regulation could bring significant change to managing symptoms. Neurofeedback, a tool for training the brain to balance its activity, is gaining ground as a potential Parkinson’s therapy. It provides real-time feedback on your brain waves, helping you learn to control your brain activity. The goal? To better balance those dopamine-boosting and dopamine-reducing pathways.


With practice, Neurofeedback can lead to fewer tremors, less muscle tightness, and a calmer mind. The process helps retrain the brain to regulate itself more smoothly, giving you more control over symptoms and improving your quality of life.


A New Chapter in Parkinson’s Treatment As research progresses, incorporating these dopamine pathways into personalized Neurofeedback plans could transform how we approach Parkinson’s care. By addressing both movement and mood, this holistic method offers a new, hopeful path forward.


Ready to explore how Neurofeedback could help manage Parkinson’s symptoms? Contact us today to learn more about this innovative,

research-backed approach to symptom control.




Research Article: Striosomes control dopamine via dual pathways paralleling canonical basal ganglia circuits https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.09.070

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