Are free radicals involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease?

Since the original description of Parkinson's disease (PD) more than 170 years ago, there have been major advances in the understanding and treatment of PD. This article reviews some current knowledge concerning the role of free radicals, especially superoxide, in the etiology of PD. Hypotheses regarding inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and free radicals generation in PD are discussed in relation to the mechanisms of action of the N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, a neurotoxin known to produce parkinsonian syndromes.