Dopamina jako mediator układu pozapiramidowego współuczestniczący w regulacji ruchu

Numerous studies show that dopamine is an important regulator of the motor control. The proper functioning of this regulation depends on appropriate concentration of dopamine in the striatum. In this paper we discusse the interaction between the cerebral cortex (pre-motor and motor areas) and the extrapyramidal system with the possible role in this phenomenon of both GABAergic or glutamatergic neurons. The important role of dopamine in this mechanism has been emphasized by utilizing clinical knowledge from studies of Parkinson patients, in whom drastically reducing level of dopamine in the extrapyramidal system causes drastic impairment of their motor activities. These changes can be attributed to a lower rate of dopamine synthesis, which in turn leads to a significant reduction in dopamine level in the striatum. On the other hand, increased physical activity, in particular prolonged repetitive exercise, by affecting the level of testosterone and BDNF, can activate tyrosine hydroxylase and thereby raise the level of dopamine in the nigrostriatal system. As a consequence, these changes may lead to improvement of motor activity both healthy people and patients with Parkinson's disease.