Final answer:
Brain lesion treatment for Parkinson's disease generally aims to alleviate motor symptoms by targeting and modifying the activity of brain regions like the subthalamic nucleus to compensate for dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra and to address glutamatergic excitotoxicity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), brain lesion treatment may target specific brain regions to alleviate symptoms. The treatment focuses on enhancing dopamine transmission in the striatum since PD's primary motor symptoms are largely due to the dopaminergic denervation of this region. One such treatment targets the subthalamic nucleus (STN) to reduce glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, which can contribute to the disease's pathology. Drugs such as L-DOPA are used to increase dopamine levels, but long-term use can lead to decreased efficacy and side effects, prompting exploration into other treatment avenues like targeting specific NMDA receptor subunits to mitigate side effects.
The goal of lesion treatments in PD, including surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), is to correct abnormal neuronal circuitry within the basal ganglia. By targeting regions that become overactive due to the disease, like the STN, it is possible to reduce excessive glutamatergic activity and thus alleviate motor symptoms. However, as PD is complex and involves multiple neurotransmitter systems, treatments often require a multi-faceted approach.