Neuromelanin accumulation in Substantia nigra in vascular parkinsonism.

Vascular parkinsonism (VaP) is a term used to describe a parkinsonism of vascular cause. However, only ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions in the substantia nigra or nigrostriatal pathway, leading to a reduction of dopaminergic stimulus are pure VaP. Here, we report a case of true VaP due to nigrostriatal pathway stroke with accumulation of neuromelanin in Substantia nigra. This is the first description of neuromelanin accumulation from nigrostriatal damage. Also, it can help to understand the physiopathological changes in VaP.