News

Extended Abstract Submission Deadline

We understand that many of you have tried to submit an abstract and register for the conference via the SWEBAGS website without succeeding. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the downtime of our website. We are pleased to inform you that the issue has been fully resolved, and our site is now back online.

Given the circumstances, we have decided to extend the abstract submission deadline through September 30th.

If you have already prepared your abstract, you can now submit it through our website: SWEBAGS Conference 2024 Submission. For those who haven’t yet, we encourage you to take advantage of this extended deadline to share your latest research on basal ganglia-related topics.

New Publication: Concerning neuromodulation as treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorder: Insights gained from selective targeting of the subthalamic nucleus, para-subthalamic nucleus and zona incerta in rodents

Authors: Alessia Ricci, Eleonora Rubino, Gian Pietro Serra, Åsa Wallén-Mackenzie

Abstract: Neuromodulation such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) is advancing as a clinical intervention in several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson´s disease, dystonia, tremor, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for which DBS is already applied to alleviate severely afflicted individuals of symptoms. Tourette syndrome and drug addiction are two additional disorders for which DBS is in trial or proposed as treatment. However, some major remaining obstacles prevent this intervention from reaching its full therapeutic potential. Side-effects have been reported, and not all DBS-treated individuals are relieved of their symptoms. One major target area for DBS electrodes is the subthalamic nucleus (STN) which plays important roles in motor, affective and associative functions, with impact on for example movement, motivation, impulsivity, compulsivity, as well as both reward and aversion. The multifunctionality of the STN is complex. Decoding the anatomical-functional organization of the STN could enhance strategic targeting in human patients. The STN is located in close proximity to zona incerta (ZI) and the para-subthalamic nucleus (pSTN). Together, the STN, pSTN and ZI form a highly heterogeneous and clinically important brain area. Rodent-based experimental studies, including opto- and chemogenetics as well as viral-genetic tract tracings, provide unique insight into complex neuronal circuitries and their impact on behavior with high spatial and temporal precision. This research field has advanced tremendously over the past few years. Here, we provide an inclusive review of current literature in the pre-clinical research fields centered around STN, pSTN and ZI in laboratory mice and rats; the three highly heterogeneous and enigmatic structures brought together in the context of relevance for treatment strategies. Specific emphasis is placed on methods of manipulation and behavioral impact.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110003

SWEBAGS Conference 2024

SWEBAGS warmly welcomes you to the SWEBAGS Conference 2024.

Based on the previous year’s successes, we will try to incorporate the feedback from the previous years when we once more open our digital doors for an online one-day conference on December 5th 2024.

One thing that many have requested has been to minimize the systems used. Therefore, this year, abstract submission, registration, and attendee information will be gathered here on the SWEBAGS website, and ordinary SWEBAGS accounts will be used.

In order to submit an abstract or register as an attendee, you will need to log in with a free SWEBAGS account; if you don’t have one already, register here. This will also give you access to our webinar archive with more than 50 webinars by leading researchers in our field.

Important dates:
Abstract submission deadline: July 31st 2024
Conference: December 5th, 2024

We hope to see you in December!

/SWEBAGS Organising Committee 2024

New Publication: Neurophysiological treatment effects of mesdopetam, pimavanserin and clozapine in a rodent model of Parkinson’s disease psychosis

Authors: Tiberiu Loredan Stan, Abdolaziz Ronaghi, Sebastian A. Barrientos, Pär Halje, Luciano Censoni, Emilio Garro-Martínez, Azat Nasretdinov, Evgenya Malinina, Stephan Hjorth, Peder Svensson, Susanna Waters, Kristoffer Sahlholm, Per Petersson

Abstract: Psychosis in Parkinson’s disease is a common phenomenon associated with poor outcomes. To clarify the pathophysiology of this condition and the mechanisms of antipsychotic treatments, we have here characterized the neurophysiological brain states induced by clozapine, pimavanserin, and the novel prospective antipsychotic mesdopetam in a rodent model of Parkinson’s disease psychosis, based on chronic dopaminergic denervation by 6-OHDA lesions, levodopa priming, and the acute administration of an NMDA antagonist. Parallel recordings of local field potentials from eleven cortical and sub-cortical regions revealed shared neurophysiological treatment effects for the three compounds, despite their different pharmacological profiles, involving reversal of features associated with the psychotomimetic state, such as a reduction of aberrant high-frequency oscillations in prefrontal structures together with a decrease of abnormal synchronization between different brain regions. Other drug-induced neurophysiological features were more specific to each treatment, affecting network oscillation frequencies and entropy, pointing to discrete differences in mechanisms of action. These findings indicate that neurophysiological characterization of brain states is particularly informative when evaluating therapeutic mechanisms in conditions involving symptoms that are difficult to assess in rodents such as psychosis, and that mesdopetam should be further explored as a potential novel antipsychotic treatment option for Parkinson psychosis.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00334

2 x Postdoctoral position at Umeå University

Postdoctoral scholarship in Integrative Neurophysiology – with a focus on physiological recordings of brain activity in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease

We are announcing a two-year full-time postdoc position in Integrative Neurophysiology at the Department of Medical and Translational Biology at Umeå University, Sweden. For two years from 1 April 2024. Application deadline is 10 March 2024.

https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/postdoctoral-scholarships/6-310-24/

Postdoctoral position in Integrative Neurophysiology – with a focus on physiological recordings of brain activity in freely moving animals

We are announcing a two-year full-time postdoc position in Integrative Neurophysiology at the Department of Medical and Translational Biology at Umeå University, Sweden. For two years from April 1st 2024. Application deadline is 10 March 2024.

https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/postdoctoral-scholarships/6-309-24/

New Publication: Architecture of the subthalamic nucleus

Authors:
Asheeta A. Prasad & Åsa Wallén-Mackenzie

Abstract:
The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a major neuromodulation target for the alleviation of neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms using deep brain stimulation (DBS). STN-DBS is today applied as treatment in Parkinson´s disease, dystonia, essential tremor, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). STN-DBS also shows promise as a treatment for refractory Tourette syndrome. However, the internal organization of the STN has remained elusive and challenges researchers and clinicians: How can this small brain structure engage in the multitude of functions that renders it a key hub for therapeutic intervention of a variety of brain disorders ranging from motor to affective to cognitive? Based on recent gene expression studies of the STN, a comprehensive view of the anatomical and cellular organization, including revelations of spatio-molecular heterogeneity, is now possible to outline. In this review, we focus attention to the neurobiological architecture of the STN with specific emphasis on molecular patterns discovered within this complex brain area. Studies from human, non-human primate, and rodent brains now reveal anatomically defined distribution of specific molecular markers. Together their spatial patterns indicate a heterogeneous molecular architecture within the STN. Considering the translational capacity of targeting the STN in severe brain disorders, the addition of molecular profiling of the STN will allow for advancement in precision of clinical STN-based interventions.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05691-4

New Publication: Cells, pathways, and models in dyskinesia research

Authors:
M. Angela Cenci, Arvind Kumar

Abstract:
L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) is the most common form of hyperkinetic movement disorder resulting from altered information processing in the cortico-basal ganglia network. We here review recent advances clarifying the altered interplay between striatal output pathways in this movement disorder. We also review studies revealing structural and synaptic changes to the striatal microcircuitry and altered cortico-striatal activity dynamics in LID. We furthermore highlight the recent progress made in understanding the involvement of cerebellar and brain stem nuclei. These recent developments illustrate that dyskinesia research continues to provide key insights into cellular and circuit-level plasticity within the cortico-basal ganglia network and its interconnected brain regions.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959438823001587

Ongoing international recruitment of young scientists at Lund University (Sweden) 

Lund University Medical Faculty has an open call for recruitment of excellent young scientists. The call is part of a broader initiative to foster future scientific leaders at Lund University: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university/associate-senior-lecturer-vacancies-lund-university

The strategic research area MultiPark (multidisciplinary research on Parkinson´s and related disorders, multipark.lu.se) welcomes applicants with a neuroscience background and commits to providing different types of support to excellent candidates interested in joining our environment.

Eligibility: The call addresses promising researchers aiming to lead pioneering research projects. Candidates should have obtained one´s PhD degree within 5 years from the application deadline (i.e. not earlier than February 15, 2019, with extensions for parental leave, sick leave, or military service). The call is reserved to applicants with experience of post-doctoral biomedical research in an institute outside of Sweden, resulting in publications at a high scientific level. Candidates need not have held a position or scholarship in Sweden during the past 4 years (i.e. after February 15, 2020).

Application deadline: February 15, 2024 (11:59 PM) 

Position start date: earliest on February 16, 2025.

For further information and contact details see the attached flyer.

New Board member

We warmly welcome Filip Bergquist as a new Board member. He will be replacing Gesine Paul-Visse as SWEMODIS representative.

You can read more about Filip on the board page.