Interestingly, neuronal atrophy was similar in both WT and Bax-KO DA neurons at early phases (2 weeks after 6-OHDA injection) of neurodegeneration, suggesting that DA neuronal atrophy occurs independently of the Bax-dependent cell death pathway, and the blockade of neuronal death by Bax deletion is not sufficient for preventing neuronal atrophy. The gene discussed is BAX; the disease is Atrophy.