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

2024-01-19

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

2024-02-23

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

2024-02-16

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

2024-01-19

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

2024-01-18

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

New Board member

2023-11-29

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.

New Publications

2023-11-24

Serra GP, Guillaumin A, Vlcek B, Delgado-Zabalza L, Ricci A, Rubino E, Dumas S, Baufreton J, Georges F, Wallén-Mackenzie Å#.

A role for the subthalamic nucleus in aversion learning.

Cell Reports. 42. 113328. November 28. 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113328

Vlcek B, Dumas S, Rubino E, Ekmark-Lewén S, Ingelsson M, Wallén-Mackenzie Å#.

Aldh1a1 and additional markers of dopamine cell heterogeneity in substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area identified as preserved in two transgenic alpha-synuclein mouse models of neurodegenerative disease.

Explor Neuroprot Ther. 2023; 3:299-327.
https://doi.org/10.37349/ent.2023.00053

Explore Our Archive of Webinar Lectures

2023-11-08

We hope you aren’t missing out on our awesome archive of webinar lectures. We wish to provide you with valuable insights and knowledge, and the latest from the fascinating world of the basal ganglia.

But we want to hear from you, too! Please let us know what more you would like to hear about or the specific researchers and experts you’d like to hear from. Your input helps us tailor our future content to your interests and needs.

Here’s a taste of what our archive has to offer:

Title: Presenter:
A single-cell perspective on human dopaminergic neurons in the developing and adult midbrainErnest Arenas
Adaptive DBS – are  we ready for clinical application?Andrea Kuhn
Alcohol Shifts the Balance Between Associative and Sensorimotor Cortico-Thalamo-Basal Ganglia Circuit Control of BehaviorDavid M Lovinger
Altered striatal dopamine in tardive dyskinesia Alexandra Nelson
Axonal gating of striatal dopamine transmission by neuronal and non-neuronal networksStephanie Cragg
Bayesian mapping of the striatal microcircuitMark Humphries
Behavioural and neurophysiological transformations elicited by nicotineLouise Adermark
Cell-type specific auditory responses in the auditory striatum are driven by feed forward inhibitionTanya Sippy
Circuit-Based Strategies For Long-Lasting Motor Recovery Following Dopamine DepletionAryn H. Gittis
Clinical studies on serotonin mechanisms in L-dopa-induced dyskinesiasPer Svenningsson
Computational models of basal ganglia physiology: dopamine, beta oscillations, and nigrothalamic transmissionRobert Schmitt
Cortico-basal ganglia connections: a across species-approach for understanding and probing circuits in the human brainSuzanne Haber
Data-driven simulations of basal ganglia microcircuitsJeanette Hellgren-Kotaleski
Developing a novel chemogenetic strategy for opiod use disorderLucas L. Sjulson
Disinhibitory gating of discrimination learning and spine enlargement by dopamine D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbensSho Yagishita
Disruption of mitochondrial complex I induced progressive parkinsonism with nigral determinantsJames Surmeier
Distinct cortico- and thalamo-striatal plasticity subtends distinct learning strategiesLaurent Venance
Diversity of Midbrain Dopamine NeuronsRajeshwar Awatramani
Dopamine and acetylcholine: enigmantic modulators of the striatum. Jeff Wickens
Dopamine Dynamics for Learning and MotivationJoshua Berke
Dopamine neurons and rewardWolfram Schultz
Dopamine waves as a mechanism for spatiotemporal credit assignmentArif Hamid
Encoding and updating action-outcome associations in the striatum and affiliated circuitsBernard Balleine
Feedforward and feedback interactions in the triatum Arvind Kumar
GPCR hetorecomplexes in the brain and their reorganization increases our understanding of Parkinson’s diseaseKjell Fuxe
In search of a unifying function of the dorsal striatum…a simple question of effort?David Robbe
Instrinsic dopamine and acetylcholine dynamics in the striatum of miceNicolas Tritch
Interrogating dopamine neuron development at the single cell levelThomas Perlmann
Learning from Dysfunction: A view from the globus pallidusNicolas Mallet
Liking’ as shaping; ‘wanting’ as reinforcingPeter Dayan
Linking brainstem locomotor command pathways to restoration of motor function in ParkinsonismOle Kiehn
Making sense of dopaminergic heterogeneity Ilana Witten
Mapping from basal ganglia dynamics to decision policiesJonathan E. Rubin
Mapping the organization and function of brain circuitsDinos Meletis
Midbrain circuits regulating motor gatingJuan Mena Segovia
Motor learning regulator? Significance of proteostasis pathway activity in striatal cholinergic interneurons.Nicole Calakos
Neurons to Network in the Globus PallidusCharles Wilson
Possible roles of alpha-synuclein in the pathogenesis of basl ganglia discorderPatrik Brundin
Possible roles of the basal ganglia in control and inferenceKenji Doya
Sensory transmission in corticostriatal networksRamón Reig García
Sentitized dopamine transmission in the parkinsonian brainGilberto Fisone
Stem cell therapy for Parkinson´s disease: From cell replacement to circuitry repairAnders Björklund
Stimulating at the right timeHayriye Cagnan
Striatal pathways and dopamine receptors in L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia Angela Cenci Nilsson
Synaptic Connectivity in the Striatal OrchestraGilad Silberberg
The coming of age of the basal gangliaAnn Graybiel
The involvement of cortico-basal ganglia circuits in spontaneous and learned behaviorsPer Petersson
The neuroscientist’s guide to schizophrenia: a data-driven prioritization of circuitsJens Hjerling Leffler
The role of basal ganglia input to the ventromedial thalamus in motor decision making and timing Dieter Jaeger
The role of the basal ganglia in motor skill learning and executionBence P Ölveczky
To sleep or not to sleep in Parkinson’s disease and DBS procedure?Hagai Bergman
Traveling waves of acetylcholine and dopamine release in the striatumJosh Goldberg
Upregulation of D1 receptor signaling biases toward punishment-resistant alcohol drinkingVeronica Alvarez
What does basal ganglia activity teach us about the pathophysiology of movement disorders?Atsushi Nambu
With the basal ganglia over 500 million years – function and intrinsic networksSten Grillner
ZSwim6: A window into mechanisms of disease-associated striatal dysfunctionMarc Fuccillo

Dive into our archive, and let us know your thoughts and suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you and continuing to provide valuable content for your interests.