Calcium, Bioenergetics, and Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Degeneration of substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons is responsible for the core motor deficits of Parkinson’s disease (PD). These neurons are autonomous pacemakers that have large cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations that have been linked to basal mitochondrial oxidant stress and turnover. This review explores the origin of Ca2+ oscillations and their role in the control of mitochondrial respiration, bioenergetics, and mitochondrial oxidant stress.

Keywords

• Parkinson’s disease
• substantia nigra
• dopaminergic neurons
• Ca²⁺
• mitochondria
• bioenergetics