Neurotransmitter imbalance in Parkinson's disease is primarily due to which factors?

In Parkinson's disease, the primary issue is the underactivity of dopaminergic neurons, particularly in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. This results in a dopamine deficiency, which is crucial for coordinating movement and balance. While the role of cholinergic neurons becomes more significant due to the loss of dopaminergic function, the actual imbalance causing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease is primarily related to the underactive dopaminergic neurons.

Cholinergic neurons can become overactive as a compensatory mechanism when dopamine levels drop, leading to dysregulated neural activity and contributing to some symptoms like tremors. This means that during the progression of the disease, the interaction between these neurotransmitter systems becomes a key focus in understanding the pathophysiology of Parkinson's.

Therefore, the factors related to neurotransmitter imbalance in Parkinson's disease are primarily associated with the underactivity of dopamine, and not predominantly due to cholinergic activity alone, excessive serotonin, or high levels of GABA.