Which condition is associated with low levels of dopamine?

Low levels of dopamine are primarily associated with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. This decline in dopamine levels leads to the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson's, such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. In this condition, the normal balance of neurotransmitters is disrupted, leading to motor function impairments due to insufficient dopamine signaling.

In contrast to Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia is often associated with an overactivity of dopamine pathways, particularly in areas of the brain related to perception and cognition. Huntington's disease involves the degeneration of neurons in specific areas of the brain but is more closely related to an imbalance of neurotransmitters rather than specifically low dopamine levels. Bipolar disorder may involve fluctuations in neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine, but it is not directly characterized by consistently low dopamine levels. Thus, the relationship between low dopamine levels and Parkinson’s disease is the most direct and well understood among the conditions listed.