UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Dept. of Neurology
UBHC D 403
671 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, N.J. 09954

Tel: 732-235-4065
FAX: 732 235 5295

sonsalla@umdnj.edu

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD), a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a massive loss of dopamine neurons within the basal ganglia, is of unknown etiology. Current theories propose the disease is multi-factorial with both genetic and environmental components. The goal of our research is to gain an understanding of the mechanisms underlying this neurodegeneration and to target strategies to prevent cell death. Present research focuses on endogenous factors (e.g., imbalances in dopamine or other neurotransmitter systems) as well as exogenous environmental substances (e.g., mitochondrial poisons, pesticides, metals, and selected drugs such as the amphetamines) as potential contributors to dopamine cell loss. Using a combination of approaches that include in vitro cell culture models, isolated vesicle preparations, functional assays for various proteins and in vivo studies in mice and rats with brain infusion and microdialysis techniques, we propose to determine the complex interaction between dopamine, other basal ganglia neurotransmitters, and exogenously administered compounds that create a cellular environment conducive to the neurodegeneration of dopamine neurons.

For complete list: PubMed

Chen, J.-F., Xu, K., Petzer, J.P., Staal, R., Xu, Y.-H., Beilstein, M., Sonsalla, P.K., Castognoli, K., Castognoli Jr., N. and Schwarzschild (2001) Neuroprotection by caffeine and A2a adenosine receptor inactivation in a model of Parkinson's disease. J. Neurosci. 21: R143-R149.

Zeevalk, G.D., Bernard, L.P., Manzino, L. and Sonsalla, P.K. (2001) Differenctial sensitivity of mesenceiphalic neurons to inhibition of phosphatase 2A. J. Pharmacol. Exptl. Therap. 298:925-933.

Staal, R.G.W., Yang, J.-M., Hait, W.N. and Sonsalla, P.K. (2001) Interactions of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinium and other compounds with P-glycoprotein: Relevance to toxicity of 11-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Brain Research 910:116-125.

Gluck, Martin R., Jayatilleke, E., Moy, L.Y., Hogan, K.A., Manzino, L. and Sonsalla, P.K. (2001) Increases in lipid and protein oxidative markers in mouse brain following methamphetamine treatment J. Neurochem. 79: 152- 160.

Zeevalk, G.D., Manzino, L., and Sonsalla, P.K. (2002) Protection of malonate-induced GABA but not dopamine loss by GABA transporter blockade in rat striatum. Exp. Neurol. 176:193-202.

Cho, J., Manzino, L., Sonsalla, P.K., Duke, D. and West, M.O. (2002) Fragmented clustering of neurons phasically related to sensorimotor activity in the striatum of hemiparkinsonian rats: Evidence of lasting, altered responsiveness to corticostriatal input. J. Comp. Neurol. 452:24-37.

Chen, J-F., Steyn, S., Staal, R., Petzer, J.P., Xu, K., Castagnoli, K., Sonsalla, P.K., Castagnoli, Jr., N. and Schwarzschild, M.A. (2002) 2-(3-Chlorostyryl)caffeine may attenuate MPTP neurotoxicity through dual actions of MAO inhibition and A2a receptor antagonism. J. Biological. Chem. (published, JPC Papers in Press, July 18, 2002).

Alfinito, P.D., Wang, S-P., Manzino,L., Zeevalk, G.D., and Sonsalla, P.K.. (2003) Adenosine A1 and A2a Receptor-Mediated protection of dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons against mitochondrial inhibition. J. Neurosci. 23: 10982-10987.