We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Expectation and dopamine release: mechanism of the placebo effect in Parkinson's disease.
- Authors
de la Fuente-Fernández, R; Ruth, T J; Sossi, V; Schulzer, M; Calne, D B; Stoessl, A J
- Abstract
The power of placebos has long been recognized for improving numerous medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Little is known, however, about the mechanism underlying the placebo effect. Using the ability of endogenous dopamine to compete for [11C]raclopride binding as measured by positron emission tomography, we provide in vivo evidence for substantial release of endogenous dopamine in the striatum of PD patients in response to placebo. Our findings indicate that the placebo effect in PD is powerful and is mediated through activation of the damaged nigrostriatal dopamine system.
- Publication
Science (New York, N.Y.), 2001, Vol 293, Issue 5532, p1164
- ISSN
0036-8075
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1126/science.1060937