Inflammatory process in Parkinson disease: neuroprotection by neuropeptide Y

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the nigro‐striatal pathway. Interestingly, it has already been shown that an intracerebral administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY) decreases the neurodegeneration induced by 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) in rodents and prevents loss of dopamine (DA) and DA transporter density. The etiology of idiopathic PD now suggest that chronic production of inflammatory mediators by activated microglial cells mediates the majority of DA‐neuronal tissue destruction. In an animal experimental model of PD, the present study shows that NPY inhibited the activation of microglia evaluated by the binding of the translocator protein (TSPO) ligand 3H]PK11195 in striatum and substantia nigra of 6‐OHDA rats. These results suggest a potential role for inflammation in the pathophysiology of the disease and a potential treatment by NPY in PD.