This figure illustrates Braak's hypothesis: a-synuclein forms aggregates called Lewy bodies, which then travel retrogradely from the ENS to the dorsal motor nucleus (dmX) located in the medulla via the vagus nerve. From there, they continue cephalically to the locus coeruleus located in the Pons, and finally reach the substantia nigra located in the midbrain. The dopaminergic neurons found in the substantia nigra can be damaged by a Lewy body and lead to the classic neurologic manifestations of PD.

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Context 1

... pathogen in the gut may be responsible for the subclinical onset of PD, according to Braak et al. [24]. This hypothesis states that after traversing the mucosal barriers and brush borders of the GIT, a neurotropic pathogen could infiltrate VIP neurons in Auerbach's plexus and pass to fibers of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (dmX) (Fig. 1). From the dmX, Braak [24] suggests that the pathogen travels to the ''gain setting system'' consisting of the medullary raphe nuclei, the gigantocellular nucleus, and the locus coeruleus, which are connected directly to the amygdala via descending projections from the amygdala's central subnucleus. The central subnucleus' projections ...

Context 2

... pathogen in the gut may be responsible for the subclinical onset of PD, according to Braak et al. [24]. This hypothesis states that after traversing the mucosal barriers and brush borders of the GIT, a neurotropic pathogen could infiltrate VIP neurons in Auerbach's plexus and pass to fibers of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (dmX) (Fig. 1). From the dmX, Braak [24] suggests that the pathogen travels to the ''gain setting system'' consisting of the medullary raphe nuclei, the gigantocellular nucleus, and the locus coeruleus, which are connected directly to the amygdala via descending projections from the amygdala's central subnucleus. The central subnucleus' projections ...