Dopaminergic neuron protection

"Dopaminergic neuron protection" refers to any molecular or cellular mechanism, pharmacological intervention, or biological process that confers resistance to degeneration, dysfunction, or death of dopaminergic neurons. This concept is central to the therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, in which selective vulnerability and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons occur. Rather than a single well-defined target, protection of dopaminergic neurons may involve a wide range of targets including enzymes (e.g., monoamine oxidases), receptors (e.g., dopamine receptors, GPR139, GLP-1 receptor), neurotrophic factors (e.g., GDNF, CDNF), nuclear receptors (e.g., Nurr1), and intracellular signaling pathways[1][2][3][4][5][7][8][9][10]. The term does not identify a specific protein or gene and cannot be used as a standardized drug discovery target without additional molecular qualification.

Other names

Dopaminergic neuron survivalDopaminergic neuron preservationProtection of dopaminergic neurons