Join a friendly neuroscience data science community at the FAIR Brain Data Science Bootcamp 2026, a three-day, hands-on training on tools and workflows for modern brain research. The bootcamp is organized by EBRAINS/SERC/INCF and is warmly recommended to our members and friends interested in neuroinformatics, brain atlasing, and computational modeling.

Dates: 11–13 May 2026

Location: Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

During the bootcamp you will:

• Explore multiscale brain atlases using siibra and Voluba.​
• Analyze electrophysiology data with Neo and Elephant.​
• Learn Python for neuroscientists and develop reproducible analysis workflows with Jupyter notebooks.​
• Use EBRAINS Data & Knowledge Services and FAIR data practices for sharing and managing neuroscience data.​
• Run large-scale brain simulations with The Virtual Brain platform.

This event is ideal for students, early-career researchers, and established scientists who want to strengthen their practical skills in brain data science, connect with an international community, and bring FAIR and reproducible practices into their projects.

Learn more and register:
https://www.incf.org/incf-brain-data-science-bootcamp-2026

SWEBAGS is proud to announce the nomination of our 2026 honorary members:

Professor Glenda Halliday and Professor Maria Grazia Spillantini.

Both professors have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and basal ganglia–related disorders, shaping the way the field approaches both basic and clinical research. Their work has had a major impact on how we think about disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and treatment strategies, and has inspired generations of researchers and clinicians worldwide.

To celebrate their achievements, SWEBAGS will host a special honorary webinar with Professors Halliday and Spillantini on 27 February at 11:30 (Stockholm time), as part of our ongoing basal ganglia webinar series.

More information can be found here: https://ibags.global/ibags-xv-save-the-date/

The SWEBAGS Board invites nominations for honorary membership. Honorary membership recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of basal ganglia research or to the Society.

Nominations must be sent via email to the Board. Please include in your nomination:

• The nominee’s name and contact details
• A brief statement explaining why the individual should be considered for honorary membership

Nominations are reviewed by the Board. The Board selects candidates to be proposed for approval at the upcoming annual meeting. Please note that all nominations will be handled confidentially, and only elected honorary members will be announced on the website.

For questions, contact the SWEBAGS Board at [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

SWEBAGS is pleased to highlight an upcoming satellite event of the 2025 SfN Neuroscience meeting – the Movement Disorders Journal (MDJ) Symposium: Neurobiology of Parkinson’s Disease, held in San Diego, CA, USA on November 14, 2025. This scientific gathering is organized by the editorial team of Movement Disorders, the official journal of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. ​

The symposium offers a comprehensive exploration of the biological foundations of Parkinson’s disease (PD), including the genetics and cellular mechanisms underlying PD, novel translational approaches for managing dyskinesias, and updates on emerging experimental platforms for research and therapy.

To learn more about the symposium and to access the official website, please click on the image below, scan the provided QR code or follow the link: https://www.movementdisorders.org/Events/MDJ-Symposium.htm

Building on the successes of previous years, we are excited to once again open our digital doors for an online one-day conference on December 11th, 2025.

We’re excited to announce this year’s keynote speakers: Ana Munoz Manchado, Marcus Stephenson-Jones and Marco Pignatelli. The program will also feature selected talks and posters from submitted abstracts—presenters will have a unique opportunity to share their work with an engaged, international audience.

New for this year:

To further simplify participation, abstract submission will be managed via a Google Form this year. Registration and attendee information will still be handled directly through the SWEBAGS website using your SWEBAGS account. If you don’t have a free SWEBAGS account yet, 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: October 24th 2025
Conference: December 11th, 2025

Why Participate?
* Share and gain knowledge through keynotes, intriguing presentations, and engaging discussions
* Present your findings to an international audience for feedback and recognition.
* Forge new connections and explore collaborations.
* Benefit from a repository of webinars and resources exclusive to members.

We hope to see you in December!

/SWEBAGS Organising Committee 2025

EBRAINS Germany has launched a call for EduBrains, a training program for master’s and doctoral students in STEM interested in e-health technologies for brain research. The program is interdisciplinary, includes both online and on-site modules, and offers participants the chance to learn about the EBRAINS research infrastructure and connect with international experts.

Read more and apply by September 4, 2025:
https://foldercase.com/proext.php?pid=466

Area: Neurodegenerative disease research, with focus on disease mechanisms.

Faculty affiliation: Medical Faculty

5-years position with the opportunity for promotion to permanent employment as a senior lecturer.

• The salary is covered by Lund University
• Several forms of support will be provided by the strategic research area MultiPark (multidisciplinary research on neurogenerative diseases, https://www.multipark.lu.se)

How to apply

Applications are to be made electronically via Lund University’s applications portal by August 17, 2025:https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:831173/?where=36

Eligibility

• Applicants should have obtained a doctoral degree within 7 years from the closing date for the applications (i.e., not earlier than 2018) . An earlier doctoral-degree date is acceptable if there are documents proving parental leave, military service, illness, or other significant circumstances that have prevented the candidate from working as a researcher after graduation.
• The candidate should have several years of experience in biomedical-related research, having carried out a postdoctoral training in an international environment outside of Sweden.
• Research in the field should have resulted in publications at a high scientific level.

For additional information you may contact Angela Cenci Nilsson, MultiPark Director , [email protected]

Exploring the fundamental mechanisms of dopamine release and dopamine neuron
vulnerability
Supervisor: Dr. Louis-Eric Trudeau

A postdoc position is presently available in the laboratory of Dr. Louis-Eric Trudeau at the
University of Montreal to work on projects that focus on the fundamental mechanisms of
dopamine release and on the vulnerability of these neurons in Parkinson’s disease models.
The ideal applicant is someone who recently completed (or is very close to completing) a
Ph.D. in the field of neuroscience, has experience in the use of mouse models and
techniques such as fluorescence-based approaches, electrophysiology/electrochemistry
and the use of viral vectors. Accomplishments in the form of peer-reviewed publications is
also expected. The successful candidate will work on exploring the molecular mechanisms
that mediate different forms of dopamine release and the links between dopamine neuron
connectivity and their vulnerability in Parkinson’s disease models. The work with involve a
range of state-of-the-art techniques including mouse genetics, genetically encoded
neurotransmitter sensors, in vitro and in vivo models and a range of fluorescence imaging
approaches. Competitive salary support will be provided. The Université de Montréal is one
of the top research universities in Canada and the city of Montreal offers an ideal
combination of critical mass in the field of neuroscience and quality of life. The applicant is
also expected to apply the University of Montreal Center for Biomedical Innovation
postdoctoral fellowship competition (https://cibmontreal.ca/en/news/launch-of-the-2025-
postdoctoral-fellowship-competition/) (deadline May 27).

Contact: [email protected].
https://www.labotrudeau.org/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Trudeau+LE&sort=date

Authors: Abdolaziz Ronaghi, Tiberiu Loredan Stan, Sebastian A. Barrientos, Pär Halje, Azat Nasretdinov, Luciano Censoni, Sebastian Sulis Sato Evgenya Malinina, Joakim Tedroff, Nicholas Waters, Per Petersson

Abstract: Levodopa provides effective symptomatic treatment for Parkinson’s disease. However, nonmotor symptoms are often insufficiently relieved, and its long-term use is complicated by motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. To clarify mechanisms of levodopa-induced dyskinesia and pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing dyskinetic symptoms, we have here characterized the neurophysiological activity patterns in sensorimotor and cognitive-limbic circuits in dyskinetic rats, comparing the effects of amantadine, pimavanserin, and the novel prospective antidyskinetic and antipsychotic treatment mesdopetam. Parallel recordings of local field potentials from 11 cortical and subcortical regions revealed suppression of narrowband gamma oscillations (NBGs) in sensorimotor structures by amantadine and mesdopetam in conjunction with alleviation of dyskinetic signs. Concomitant gamma oscillations in cognitive-limbic circuits were not directly linked to dyskinesia and were not affected by antidyskinetic treatments to the same extent, although treatment-induced reductions in functional coupling were observed in both sensorimotor and cognitive-limbic circuits, in parallel. In a broad frequency spectrum (1-200 Hz), mesdopetam treatment displayed greater similarities to pimavanserin than to amantadine. These findings point to the reduction of NBGs as a valuable biomarker for the characterization of antidyskinetic treatment effects and provide systems-level mechanistic insights into the antidyskinetic efficacy of mesdopetam, with potential additional benefits for the treatment of Parkinson’s-related psychosis.

DOI: 10.1111/ejn.70032

Dear SWEBAGS:ers,

We are currently having issues with our online event calendar. But we are looking forward to Feb 28, 2025, when we will be able to hear the Honorary Lectures from our newly elected honorary members, Bertil Fredholm and Suzanne Haber!

We’re happy to announce that we have finally obtained the recording of last year’s joint lecture with JBAGS!

You can now watch the full lecture here or on youtube. We hope this recording will be useful and inspiring.

Happy viewing!

Do not worry, the recordings are now available in the archive.

The Swebags Conference 2024 programme and abstract book are now available on the conference pages.

Make sure that you are registered and don’t miss these inspiring presentations.

To keep the Swebags society running smoothly and to continue offering webinars and other activities, we rely on the voluntary efforts of our board members. The board is elected during our annual meeting, and your participation is crucial to ensure the society’s success. No registration is required—just join us at the scheduled time.

Date: 2024-12-05
Time: 08:30 – 09:00
Link: https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/64834058661?pwd=8ZsapRbiGmVmJKhazh0OzPpnan758M.1

Agenda:
Opening of Meeting/Welcome
Adoption of the Agenda
Decide on two persons that certify the meeting protocol and count votes in case of voting procedures.
Elect meeting chairperson and meeting secretary
Proof of Notice of Meeting Given
Voting list adjustment
Previous minutes
Evaluate the reports from the board etc. and decide if there is a continued trust in the board.
Presentation of Annual Report for 2023
Presentation of Operational plan for 2024
Discharge from liability for the board
Elections
Elect Chair (for 1 year)
Elect Board members (for 3 years)
Elect two accountants and 2 stand-ins for the accountants. (for 1 year)
Elect nomination committee and one stand-in for these (for 1 year)
Honorary members
Motions and Bills
Decide on membership fees.
Any other business
Adjournment

We are deeply saddened by the news of Professor Ernest Arenas’ passing. While we are immensely grateful for his significant contributions to basal ganglia research, our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Karolinska Institutet has shared an obituary, which can be read here: Karolinska Institutet obituary.

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.

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 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

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

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

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

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.

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:

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.

All Members are welcome to our annual meeting scheduled for November 24 at 15:00-15:30 CET.
Please find the agenda here: https://swebags.ebrains.se/forums/topic/annual-meeting-2023/

New recordings from the latest webinar are now available in the webinar archive:

Dopamine waves as a mechanism for spatiotemporal credit assignment with Arif Hamid

Traveling waves of acetylcholine and dopamine release in the striatum with Josh Goldberg

Did you miss the May webinar? No worries; it is now uploaded to the webinar archive. The webinars now take a short break and will be back again on August 25 with lectures by Arif Hamid and Josh Goldberg

We have now reached a new milestone regarding memberships. Currently have 300+ members representing 110 different organisations in 25 countries have joined SWEBAGS!

We are so happy that so many have joined our society and hope you all utilize this big gathering of colleagues from all around the world by interacting and sharing news and articles and watching more than 40 hours of webinars from leading colleagues…

Please help us grow further by spreading the word to your colleagues.

The latest recording from the webinar on Basal Ganglia in addiction is now available.

Author: Espa E, Song L, Skovgård K, Fanni S, Cenci MA.

Abstract:

Background: Current models of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) are obtained by treating dopamine-depleted animals with L-DOPA. However, patients with LID receive combination therapies that often include dopamine agonists. 

Objective: Using 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats as a model, we aimed to establish whether adjunct treatment with the D2/3 agonist ropinirole impacts on patterns of LID-related neuroplasticity and drug responses. 

Methods: Different regimens of L-DOPA monotreatment and L-DOPA-ropinirole cotreatment were compared using measures of hypokinesia and dyskinesia. Striatal expression of ∆FosB and angiogenesis markers were studied immunohistochemically. Antidyskinetic effects of different drug categories were investigated in parallel groups of rats receiving either L-DOPA monotreatment or L-DOPA combined with ropinirole.

Results: We defined chronic regimens of L-DOPA monotreatment and L-DOPA-ropinirole cotreatment inducing overall similar abnormal involuntary movement scores. Compared to the monotreatment group, animals receiving the L-DOPA-ropinirole combination exhibited an overall lower striatal expression of ∆FosB with a distinctive compartmental distribution. The expression of angiogenesis markers and blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability was markedly reduced following L-DOPA-ropinirole cotreatment vs L-DOPA monotreatment. Significant group differences were moreover detected upon comparing the response to candidate antidyskinetic drugs. In particular, compounds modulating D1 receptor signaling had a stronger effect in the L-DOPA-only group, whereas both amantadine and the selective NMDA antagonist MK801 produced a markedly larger antidyskinetic effect in L-DOPA-ropinirole cotreated animals.

Conclusions: Cotreatment with ropinirole altered LID-related neuroplasticity and pharmacological response profiles. The impact of adjuvant dopamine agonist treatment should be taken into consideration when investigating LID mechanisms candidate interventions in both clinical and experimental settings. 

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36656044/

The abstract submission deadline and early-bird registration time has been prolonged to January 31st 2023.

We are happy to announce that Kjell Fuxe and Wolfram Schultz were elected as honorary members of SWEBAGS.

They will give their honorary lecture early 2023 , we will announce the date and time in the event calendar as soon as we have this confirmed.

We are repeating the the success from last year and arranging a One Day Online Conference November 30.

EBRAINS will arrange a Satellite event @ FENS, Friday July 8, from 8:30AM to 5:30PM CEST at the INSPE, Paris (lunch included).

It will highlight the connections between basic and clinical neuroscience and computational neuroscience. The program is structured around four sessions on why, what, how and where to integrate multi-resolution and multi-scale data for neuroscience research. More info and free registration.

Improving well-being and survival in the 6-OHDA lesion model of Parkinson´s disease in mice: Literature review and step-by-step protocol

Authors

Adriane Guillaumin, Bianca Vicek & Åsa Wallén-Mackenzie

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative motor disorder and primarily affects movement control but also a range of non-motor functions. With unknown etiology and lack of cure, much research is dedicated to unravel pathological mechanisms and improve clinical prospects for symptom alleviation, prevention and treatment. To achieve these goals, animal models intended to represent symptoms similar to those observed in the complex clinical display of PD play a key role. It is important to bear in mind that, in any studies with laboratory animals, it is crucial to take the 3Rs principle (Refine, Reduce, Replace) into account. The main pathology of PD includes degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion model, in which dopaminergic neurons are chemically destroyed, is often favored as a laboratory model of PD in both rodents and primates. However, while reproducing several features of clinical PD, mice exposed to 6-OHDA frequently experience systemic dysfunction causing premature death. To avoid suffering and unnecessary deaths of laboratory mice, there is a need for improved experimental protocols in accordance with the 3Rs principle. Based on current literature and our own previous experiments, we decided to test the effect of three parameters: 1) reduced dose of the 6-OHDA toxin; 2) daily post-operative care to avoid hypothermia and energy loss; 3) shortened interval from surgical injection of toxin to time of sacrifice. 

By implementing a 6-OHDA lesion protocol using a lower dose of toxin than commonly seen in the literature alongside careful post-operative care and decreased time post-injection, a fully recovered weight post-surgery and high survival rate was obtained. This was achieved despite full expression of the 6-OHDA-induced locomotor phenotype.  A step-by-step protocol was formulated. Validation using histological analysis confirmed toxin-induced degeneration of midbrain dopamine neurons with concomitant loss of dopaminergic projections in the lesioned hemisphere. Notably, while SNc dopamine neurons were drastically reduced, those located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) were less affected in a medial^{high survival} to lateral^{low survival} manner.

The Refine and Reduce parameters of the 3Rs principle in experimental animal welfare were specifically addressed which allowed us to improve well-being and survival of mice while maintaining characteristic parkinsonian features in the 6-OHDA lesion model. A table summarizing current literature on the 6-OHDA model in rodents as well as our validated step-by-step experimental protocol is provided.

Link

http://sjlas.org/index.php/SJLAS/article/view/1105

Umeå University has 2 open postdoc positions

Postdoctor in Integrative Neurophysiology
– With a focus on data analyses
or
– With a focus on physiological recordings of brain activity in behaving animals

Deadline for both positions: April 15.

For more information, please contact Associate Professor Per Petersson, e-mail: [email protected], Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University.

Do you wish to revisit the presentations from the first SWEBAGS conference? All presentations are available for those registered for the conference here:

We are super proud to welcome Professor Ann Graybiel from McGovern Institute, MIT and Professor Hagai Bergman from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem as Honorary Members of SWEBAGS.

All SWEBAGS members are invited to join our annual meeting. Please visit the following link to access the agenda, annual report, operational plan and link to join the meeting

Notice of SWEBAGS’s annual meeting

A large collaborative project focused on understanding and treating dysfunctions of cortico-basal ganglia circuits in Parkinson´s disease (PD) has been awarded 35 million DKK from the Lundbeck Foundation. Angela Cenci Nilsson, coordinator of MultiPark, leads one of the three included research teams. Her group, the Basal ganglia pathophysiology, will conduct studies in animal models providing a basis for the development of novel approaches to non-invasive circuit modulation. Read more here

SWEBAGS proudly present Aryn H Gittis and Sho Yagishita as keynote speakers at SWEBAGS conference 2021.

Please join us by registering for free here. You can also submit your abstracts until September 30.

– Save the date and call for participation 

The 17th of December SWEBAGS will organize a one day Conference “Basal ganglia-disinhibited ” in conjunction with our membership meeting. Due to uncertainties with the covid situation, we will host this event online this year and hope we can start meeting again in-person next year. Please mark this day in your calendars and join us for an interesting day with posters, presentations and keynote lectures. We welcome you all to prepare abstracts for submissions for oral presentation or posters. The deadline for submissions is 30th of September and more information will be available at our website later on. 

More information and link for submission will be made available here. https://swebags.ebrains.se/events/swebags-conference-2021/

• Poster abstract submission Max 300 words deadline Sep 30 2021
• Oral presentation abstract submission Max 1 A4 page incl. 1-2 figures deadline Sep 30 2021

Conference format:

2 invited keynote lectures

Selected talks from submitted abstracts — preference given to younger scientists. 

Breakout rooms with disinhibited discussion on selected topics. 

We have posted a few topics for the breakout sessions.  Please vote on those and if you do not like any of those, please suggest your own topic. If your topic receives enough votes it will feature in the program. 

EBRAINS the research infrastructure that HBP have developed over the years, has now been included into the ESFRI Roadmap 2021. This marks an important milestone for EBRAINS and a recognition of its sustainable scientific value and high quality and it will also give EBRAINS a new boost and help to position it as the go-to platform for scientists involved in brain research.

ESFRI, the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, pursues a fundamental mission: to develop the scientific integration of Europe, to strengthen its international outreach, and to provide Europe with the most up-to-date Research Infrastructures, responding to the rapidly evolving science frontiers, also advancing the knowledge-based technologies and their extended use. One of the core objectives of ESFRI is to ensure that excellent scientists have access to Europe’s best research infrastructures irrespective of borders.

Research infrastructures included into the ESFRI Roadmap go through a thorough evaluation and selection procedure, taking both scientific excellence and implementation rigor into account. Being part of the ESFRI roadmap means that EBRAINS belongs to the list of the best European Research Infrastructures.

Thank you all that have participated in the webinars this spring. We are very happy with the great turnout both nationally and internationally! we will now take a summer break from the webinars and restart again after the vacations with once more a very strong line up. e.g.

* Andrea Kühn, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
* Peter Dayan, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics
* Jonathan E. Rubin, Univeristy of Pittsburgh
* D. James Surmeier, Northwestern University

Until then you can review the old webinars in the webinar archive or suggest whom we should invite in the forums.

We are also planning for an SWEBAGS combined membership meeting and internal conference December 17 more information to come but save the date.

Vacant PhD position in Neurobiology – Neurocircuitry analysis at Uppsala University.
Look at this link for information and how to apply:
https://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/
Deadline May 20.
Please use the Varbi system to submit your application, as specified.
You can also look at this link for more information about our research:
https://www.iob.uu.se/forskning/jamforande-fysiologi/mackenzie-lab/

Welcome with your application!
Topic Link: https://swebags.ebrains.se/forums/topic/phd-position-neurobiology-at-uppsala-university/

Neuroscientists join mathematicians to study neurodegenerative diseases. Join KTH in developing a theoretical framework to understand brain diseases.
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm are looking for postdocs – last application date is 30 April 2021

See job descriptions and apply at:
https://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/lediga-jobb/what:job/jobID:390546, and
https://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/lediga-jobb/what:job/jobID:389800

Authors: Adriane Guillaumina, Gian Pietro Serra, François Georges, Åsa Wallén-Mackenzie

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is critical for the execution of intended movements. Loss of its normal function is strongly associated with several movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease for which the STN is an important target area in deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy. Classical basal ganglia models postulate that two parallel pathways, the direct and indirect pathways, exert opposing control over movement, with the STN acting within the indirect pathway. The STN is regulated by both inhibitory and excitatory input, and is itself excitatory. While most functional knowledge of this clinically relevant brain structure has been gained from pathological conditions and models, primarily parkinsonian, experimental evidence for its role in normal motor control has remained more sparse. The objective here was to tease out the selective impact of the STN on several motor parameters required to achieve intended movement, including locomotion, balance and motor coordination. Optogenetic excitation and inhibition using both bilateral and unilateral stimulations of the STN were implemented in freely-moving mice. The results demonstrate that selective optogenetic inhibition of the STN enhances locomotion while its excitation reduces locomotion. These findings lend experimental support to basal ganglia models of the STN in terms of locomotion. In addition, optogenetic excitation in freely-exploring mice induced self-grooming, disturbed gait and a jumping/escaping behavior, while causing reduced motor coordination in advanced motor tasks, independent of grooming and jumping. This study contributes experimentally validated evidence for a regulatory role of the STN in several aspects of motor control.

Read the full article at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899320305849?via%3Dihub

Join us at the inauguration the 22nd of January when Anders Björklund and Sten Grillner will give their honorary lectures.

15:00 Opening and Welcome
15:20 Honorary lecture: Anders Björklund, Senior Professor, Lund University
16:00 Honorary lecture: Sten Grillner, Senior Professor, Karolinska Institute
16:40 Discussion

Event page

Inauguration Poster

Angela Cenci Nilsson has been appointed to coordinate Multipark (Multidisciplinary research focused on Parkinson´s disease) for the next 3 years (2021-2023). Multipark is a strategic research environment supported by the Swedish Government and hosted by Lund University. Its vast programme ranges from fundamental investigations into disease mechanisms to studies on the life situation of patients affected by Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disorders. As a research area of excellence, Multipark has the dual mission of creating a vibrant scientific environment and benefitting society at large (which is achieved by developing innovations and new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases).

Today the 26th of November 2020 SWEBAGS was officially formed and the first board was elected. Together the board members represent a wide range of expertise and different research approaches. We look forward to working together for SWEBAGS!

Please join us by becoming a member!