パーキンソン病のおはなし第3回◆ドパの効果がすぐ切れる！

This article is titled "Dopa's effects wear off quickly!" In the previous article, Part 2, we discussed how dopa is the champion of PD treatments, but the problem is that dopa's effects do not last long (wearing off). First, let's explore why do dopa's effects wear off so quickly. Dopamine neurons, and in particular their nerve endings, are often likened to reservoirs, but it would be more appropriate to call them "dams" with more complex functions. We will introduce several hypotheses about how the dam function of dopamine nerve endings changes. In any case, the remaining dopamine neurons will actively engage compensatory mechanisms. This increases the rate of dopamine release, resulting in a trade-off between on and off states. Although it is a desperate measure, this results in wearing off. Furthermore, serotonin neurons begin to produce and release dopamine. However, this "helper" tends to get a little out of control. I will also briefly talk about measures to prevent wearing off (more details later).