From Tremors to Treatment
- Ximena Gonzalez
- Aug 3
- 8 min read
It first begins with a tremor, although it is not uncommon for us individuals to involuntarily shake as a response to a drop in temperature, or an indication that it’s time to consume something sugary. It can even be a sign of anxiety and nervousness while you're in a socially stimulating environment. Hence, why it can seem like a “normal” bodily response. We tend to overlook it and focus on the current task at hand. It is especially difficult to notice if we are looking for these symptoms in someone else’s behavior. Parkinson’s disease is most commonly associated with people in their late stages of life. In other words, it could be categorized as taking place during what American psychoanalyst Erik Erickson would deem as the final stage of psychological development beginning at the age of 65 known as Integrity vs Despair (Cherry). Additionally, during this stage of life, there are not only psychological and physical progressions but also developing illnesses. Parkinson’s disease, as mentioned earlier, is not easily detected at its early stages. As it continues, there begins to be progressively more intense and painful symptoms. Tremors (a rhythmic shaking that affects the movement of limbs) tend to migrate from one inch of your body to the rest of that area, particularly staying on one side of the body, and can no longer go unnoticed. Along with tremors, movement is slowed known as bradykinesia making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Additionally, people who suffer from Parkinson's disease have difficulty finding balance and they often fall. They possess bad posture, loss of automatic movements, and speech, and writing changes (Mayo Clinic). Causes for Parkinson’s vary but it is usually a response to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in the brain known as dopamine. As dopamine levels decrease, it causes unusual brain activity and problems with movements (Mayo Clinic). Following the definition of Parkinson’s disease and its effects on the body, we will continue throughout this paper to contribute to the knowledge of this disease and establish an understanding of its contribution in a neurological and biological sense through science.
The study “Altered thalamocortical signaling in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease” focuses on understanding the relationship between the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons and the activation of the primary motor cortex (M1), which is crucial for skilled movements and motor learning. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a decrease in dopamine levels in the midbrain, which is believed to lead to decreased activation of M1 by the motor thalamus (is a part of your brain that processes information regarding your senses, then sends it to your brain’s cerebral cortex) The study aims to test this hypothesis by examining how the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons affects the motor thalamus input to M1 and the intracortical synaptic transmission within M1. The significance of the study lies in its ability to provide experimental evidence that the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons leads to alterations in the input-output function of M1. This is achieved through laminar- and cell-type-specific effects, as well as frequency-dependent changes in synaptic dynamics. The findings are important because they support and expand on the idea that the loss of midbrain dopamine reduces motor cortex activation. This is in contrast to the widely reported hyperactivation of M1 in patients and animal models of PD. The study’s results are significant because they provide a novel perspective on the circuit mechanisms underlying motor cortex dysfunction in PD, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the neurophysiological changes that occur in this neurodegenerative disorder. This contribution to the study could have only been accessed if it wasn't for the involvement of mice (the participants) that underwent surgical procedures for an experiment to study the effects of certain neurotransmitters and their role in the central nervous system. The procedures are designed to follow the guidelines of the National Institute of Health and have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Stony Brook University. The text details the specific breeds of mice used, the age range at which they are anesthetized, the drugs and solutions administered, and the surgical techniques employed. It also mentions the preparation and administration of 6-OHDA and the AAV9-CAG-ChR2-Venus virus, which are used to study the activity of excitatory neurons and interneurons, respectively. The text also provides information on the location and volume of the injections (Cherry; Mayo Clinic; Swanson et al.).
Contrary to the initial article by the Mayo Clinic introducing Parkinson’s disease the article was written in a format to advocate for the better health of those who might have or know someone with symptoms that coincide with those of Parkinson’s disease. There was not a hypothesis or scientific experiment conducted within this article, it is meant for general use and knowledge that focuses on the symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, and preventions. It is important to know that the cause of Parkinson's disease is not concrete, hence it is very difficult to determine ways to prevent this disease. However, there have been ways that are proven to have decreased levels of risk such as aerobic exercise (Mayo Clinic).
Through a meticulous examination of Parkinson’s disease, this essay bridges the gap between clinical observations and cutting-edge neurological research. By synthesizing insights from the Mayo Clinic’s overview of symptoms and the groundbreaking mouse model study by Swanson, it illuminates the complex interplay of dopamine loss, thalamocortical signaling, and motor dysfunction. The research underscores the importance of continued scientific inquiry, honoring the contributions of both human and animal studies in the quest for a cure. As society moves forward, these findings offer hope. Not only for those affected by Parkinson’s but also for the future of neurodegenerative disease research. The journey from mice to men, as explored here, represents a vital step toward understanding and ultimately conquering this debilitating condition.
It first begins with a tremor, although it is not uncommon for us individuals to involuntarily shake as a response to a drop in temperature, or an indication that it’s time to consume something sugary. It can even be a sign of anxiety and nervousness while you're in a socially stimulating environment. Hence, why it can seem like a “normal” bodily response. We tend to overlook it and focus on the current task at hand. It is especially difficult to notice if we are looking for these symptoms in someone else’s behavior. Parkinson’s disease is most commonly associated with people in their late stages of life. In other words, it could be categorized as taking place during what American psychoanalyst Erik Erickson would deem as the final stage of psychological development beginning at the age of 65 known as Integrity vs Despair (Cherry). Additionally, during this stage of life, there are not only psychological and physical progressions but also developing illnesses. Parkinson’s disease, as mentioned earlier, is not easily detected at its early stages. As it continues, there begins to be progressively more intense and painful symptoms. Tremors (a rhythmic shaking that affects the movement of limbs) tend to migrate from one inch of your body to the rest of that area, particularly staying on one side of the body, and can no longer go unnoticed. Along with tremors, movement is slowed known as bradykinesia making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Additionally, people who suffer from Parkinson's disease have difficulty finding balance and they often fall. They possess bad posture, loss of automatic movements, and speech, and writing changes (Mayo Clinic). Causes for Parkinson’s vary but it is usually a response to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in the brain known as dopamine. As dopamine levels decrease, it causes unusual brain activity and problems with movements (Mayo Clinic). Following the definition of Parkinson’s disease and its effects on the body, we will continue throughout this paper to contribute to the knowledge of this disease and establish an understanding of its contribution in a neurological and biological sense through science.
The study “Altered thalamocortical signaling in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease” focuses on understanding the relationship between the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons and the activation of the primary motor cortex (M1), which is crucial for skilled movements and motor learning. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a decrease in dopamine levels in the midbrain, which is believed to lead to decreased activation of M1 by the motor thalamus (is a part of your brain that processes information regarding your senses, then sends it to your brain’s cerebral cortex) The study aims to test this hypothesis by examining how the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons affects the motor thalamus input to M1 and the intracortical synaptic transmission within M1. The significance of the study lies in its ability to provide experimental evidence that the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons leads to alterations in the input-output function of M1. This is achieved through laminar- and cell-type-specific effects, as well as frequency-dependent changes in synaptic dynamics. The findings are important because they support and expand on the idea that the loss of midbrain dopamine reduces motor cortex activation. This is in contrast to the widely reported hyperactivation of M1 in patients and animal models of PD. The study’s results are significant because they provide a novel perspective on the circuit mechanisms underlying motor cortex dysfunction in PD, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the neurophysiological changes that occur in this neurodegenerative disorder. This contribution to the study could have only been accessed if it wasn't for the involvement of mice (the participants) that underwent surgical procedures for an experiment to study the effects of certain neurotransmitters and their role in the central nervous system. The procedures are designed to follow the guidelines of the National Institute of Health and have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Stony Brook University. The text details the specific breeds of mice used, the age range at which they are anesthetized, the drugs and solutions administered, and the surgical techniques employed. It also mentions the preparation and administration of 6-OHDA and the AAV9-CAG-ChR2-Venus virus, which are used to study the activity of excitatory neurons and interneurons, respectively. The text also provides information on the location and volume of the injections (Cherry; Mayo Clinic; Swanson et al.).
Contrary to the initial article by the Mayo Clinic introducing Parkinson’s disease the article was written in a format to advocate for the better health of those who might have or know someone with symptoms that coincide with those of Parkinson’s disease. There was not a hypothesis or scientific experiment conducted within this article, it is meant for general use and knowledge that focuses on the symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, and preventions. It is important to know that the cause of Parkinson's disease is not concrete, hence it is very difficult to determine ways to prevent this disease. However, there have been ways that are proven to have decreased levels of risk such as aerobic exercise (Mayo Clinic).
Through a meticulous examination of Parkinson’s disease, this essay bridges the gap between clinical observations and cutting-edge neurological research. By synthesizing insights from the Mayo Clinic’s overview of symptoms and the groundbreaking mouse model study by Swanson, it illuminates the complex interplay of dopamine loss, thalamocortical signaling, and motor dysfunction. The research underscores the importance of continued scientific inquiry, honoring the contributions of both human and animal studies in the quest for a cure. As society moves forward, these findings offer hope. Not only for those affected by Parkinson’s but also for the future of neurodegenerative disease research. The journey from mice to men, as explored here, represents a vital step toward understanding and ultimately conquering this debilitating condition.
Works Cited:
Cherry, Kendra. “Integrity vs. Despair in Psychosocial Development.” Verywell Mind, 2025, www.verywellmind.com/integrity-versus-despair-2795738
Mayo Clinic. “Parkinson’s Disease.” Mayo Clinic, 27 Sept. 2024,
Swanson, Olivia K, et al. “Altered Thalamocortical Signaling in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease.” The Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 43, no. 34, 1 Aug. 2023, pp. 6021–6034, https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.2871-20.2023
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