Initiation of neuronal damage by complex I deficiency and oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease

Oxidative stress and partial deficiencies of mitochondrial complex I appear to be key factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. They are interconnected; complex I inhibition results in an enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn will inhibit complex I. Partial inhibition of complex I in nerve terminals is sufficient for in situ mitochondria to generate more ROS. H2O2 plays a major role in inhibiting complex I as well as a key metabolic enzyme, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. The vicious cycle resulting from partial inhibition of complex I and/or an inherently higher ROS production in dopaminergic neurons leads over time to excessive oxidative stress and ATP deficit that eventually will result in cell death in the nigro-striatal pathway.