Quick Facts
The substantia nigra is located in the midbrain and plays an important role in reward, addiction and movement. The substantia nigra appears darker than neighboring areas, due to high levels of melanin in dopaminergic neurons. Parkinson's disease is characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Substantia nigra
This means that the SN degeneration in PD sets up an imbalance that is immediately corrected by the surgery.
