Dopamine transporter immunoreactivity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

European Journal of Neurology : the Official Journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies
F R ButtarelliF E Pontieri

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic progressive neuromuscular disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by weakness, muscle wasting, fasciculations, and increased reflexes, with conserved intellect and higher functions. The neuropathology of ALS is mostly confined to damage of the motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, some motor nuclei of the brainstem, and anterior horns of the spinal cord. However, there is evidence for the involvement of other neuronal systems in the disease. In particular, damage of the dopamine neurons has been shown by neurochemical and imaging studies in the brain and spinal cord of ALS patients. Recent reports suggest that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) may represent a useful in vivo model to study neurochemical alterations that occur in neurodegenerative disorders. Here we demonstrate the significant reduction of dopamine transporter immunoreactivity in PBMC of patients affected by ALS with respect to healthy subjects. These results extend our knowledge of damage of the dopamine system in ALS to peripheral cells. Thus, the original concept of ALS as an isolated degeneration of motor neurons seems to extend to a more widespread understanding of the disease with involvement of o...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 18, 2008·Journal of Neural Transmission·Francesca R ButtarelliFrancesco E Pontieri
Jan 22, 2013·ACS Chemical Neuroscience·Brendan S BeikmannAnne Milasincic Andrews
Dec 25, 2012·RNA·Davide CirilloGian Gaetano Tartaglia
Jul 24, 2008·PloS One·Rebecca BanerjeeHoward E Gendelman
May 7, 2014·International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience·Hongen WeiXiaohong Li
Oct 5, 2011·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Dario SiniscalcoNicola Antonucci
May 26, 2012·Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology·M C FocantE Hermans
Sep 8, 2009·Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society·Francesco E Pontieri, Carlo Colosimo
Dec 30, 2016·CNS Spectrums·Donatella MarazzitiLiliana Dell'Osso
Nov 27, 2007·Neurochemical Research·Donatella MarazzitiAntonio Lucacchini

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive nervous system disease associated with the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles. Discover the latest research on ALS here.