Chronic restraint stress triggers dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurodegeneration: Possible role of chronic stress in the onset of Parkinson’s disease

Highlights • The present study investigated the effects of chronic stress on dopaminergic neurodegeneration. • The chronic stress significantly triggered the dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra. • The chronic stress also reduced noradrenergic neuron in the locus coeruleus. • The activated microglia induced by stress exposures is detected in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus. • Nitrotyrosine as a marker of oxidative stress is also significantly increased in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus.