Author(s)

Bridgett Boxley

Department of Behavioral Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that spreads rapidly through the brain, and can influence a number of vital systems. The cause of this disease appears to be brought on by the progressive inability to produce adequate dopamine in the brain. People that suffer with Parkinson’s have reported REM sleep disruption at the onset of the condition. This paper reviews several animal model lesion studies related to the Pedunculopontine Nucleus, and how it plays a role in sleep regulation following a decline in dopamine production in those with parkinsonian conditions. The goal of this paper is to elucidate the functioning of the PPN and explain the nuclei’s possible role in the onset and progression of parkinsonian conditions in animal models.

Parkinson’s Disease, Neurodegeneration, REM, Sleep Change, Dopamine, Substantia Nigra, Systems, PPN, PTN, Pedunculopontine

Boxley, B. (2017) Parkinson’s Disease: Examining the Role of the Pedunculopontine Nucleus via Animal Models. Advances in Parkinson's Disease, 6, 39-44. doi: 10.4236/apd.2017.61004.