Detecting the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase in the brain

Neurons containing tyrosine hydroxylase, are encountered in several brain regions, including the midbrain. Using tyrosine hydroxlyse these neurons generate the neurotransmitter dopamine. In the picture, nuclei of all cells are labelled in blue, tyrosine hydroxylase containing cells are green. The picture shows where these cells are located and how far their processes reach into distant brain regions that they affect by releasing dopamine. A loss of dopamine producing cells is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease.