Dopaminergic News and Research

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New brain connectivity maps offer insights into human consciousness

In a paper titled, "Multimodal MRI reveals brainstem connections that sustain wakefulness in human consciousness," published today in Science Translational Medicine, a group of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, and Boston Children's Hospital, created a connectivity map of a brain network that they propose is critical to human consciousness.

2 May 2024

U of T researchers develop new approach for controlling neuron generation in Parkinson's disease

Researchers at the University of Toronto have found a way to better control the preclinical generation of key neurons depleted in Parkinson's disease, pointing toward a new approach for a disease with no cure and few effective treatments.

30 Apr 2024

Phase 2 trial reveals Lixisenatide may reduce motor disability in Parkinson’s patients

A trial of lixisenatide to assess its effects in early Parkinson’s disease.

18 Apr 2024

Ketamine's rapid impact on depression linked to immune system pathways

Study reveals ketamine's potent anti-inflammatory effects on neurological disorders, showing promise for treating major depressive disorder through modulation of neuroimmune pathways.

15 Apr 2024

Can psychedelics improve sexual functioning and satisfaction?

The influence of psychedelics on sexual functioning.

15 Apr 2024

Sweet truths and bitter pills: How free sugars affect human health

The current evidence about the effect of free sugars on health outcomes in humans, including mood, cognition, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.

3 Apr 2024

Discovery could revolutionize stem cell-based brain repair therapy for Parkinson's disease

Neuroscientists at University of Galway have made an exciting discovery that could revolutionize stem cell-based brain repair therapy for Parkinson's disease.

19 Mar 2024

Microfluidic chips advance neurodegenerative disease research

Researchers review the role of microfluidic chip models in understanding neurodegenerative diseases, offering insights into the disease mechanisms and potential for drug development through innovative lab-on-a-chip technologies.

14 Mar 2024

Study finds link between freezing of gait and sleep disorders in Parkinson's patients

Parkinson's disease patients who experience freezing of gait (a sudden inability to initiate or continue movement, often resulting in a fall) wake up several times during the night, feel sleepy during the day, and have REM sleep behavior disorder.

5 Mar 2024

Researchers find differences in how people with impulse control disorder process consequences

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement and muscle control. One characteristic of the disease is the deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that plays a role in movement and can impact how people think and feel.

4 Mar 2024

Mapping the brain: How cell types and location influence Parkinson’s disease

A single-cell spatial transcriptome analysis on murine brain expression in age and disease using a Parkinson's disease.

27 Feb 2024

Deep learning shines a new light on Parkinson's detection through the eye

Study demonstrates the potential of deep learning algorithms to predict Parkinson's disease (PD) through retinal fundus imaging, offering a non-invasive, early diagnostic tool.

18 Feb 2024

Researchers introduce a pioneering approach to combat neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers led by Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have introduced a pioneering approach aimed at combating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

16 Feb 2024

Scientists discover key pathway linking brain's habit center and motor learning region

Researchers explored how the cerebellum directly affects dopamine release in the substantia nigra compacta (SNc).

29 Jan 2024

From gut to brain: How diet can influence Alzheimer's and Parkinson's outcomes

Diet modification and alterations in the intestinal microbial population could impact the disease course of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

23 Jan 2024

Scientists discover key brain cells affected by COVID-19

A recent Cell Stem Cell study investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to dopaminergic neuron senescence.

22 Jan 2024

Scientists develop noninvasive way to monitor gene expression dynamics in the brain

Researchers introduced a non-invasive, sensitive method for monitoring gene expression in the brain using engineered reporters called released markers of activity, which can exit the brain into the blood for easy detection.

12 Jan 2024

Landmark study confirms five key Parkinson's Disease variants in largest meta-analysis

Rare Parkinson’s disease (PD) variants in a large-scale cohort.

10 Jan 2024

IDO2 deficiency in mice leads to behavioral abnormalities resembling autism spectrum disorder

Over the past decades, scientists have made substantial progress unveiling the underlying mechanisms behind many psychiatric disorders.

4 Jan 2024

Study deciphers how misfolded protein drives dopaminergic neuron loss in Parkinson's

A so-called pathological protein long associated with Parkinson's disease has been found in a new study to trigger cells to increase protein synthesis, an event that eventually kills the subset of brain cells that die off in this neurodegenerative condition.

20 Dec 2023