2018
Loss of glutamate signaling from the thalamus to dorsal striatum impairs motor function and slows the execution of learned behaviors
Melief EJ, McKinley JW, Lam JY, Whiteley NM, Gibson AW, Neumaier JF, Henschen CW, Palmiter RD, Bamford NS, Darvas M. Loss of glutamate signaling from the thalamus to dorsal striatum impairs motor function and slows the execution of learned behaviors. Npj Parkinson's Disease 2018, 4: 23. PMID: 30083593, PMCID: PMC6072777, DOI: 10.1038/s41531-018-0060-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchParkinson's diseaseCentral lateralDopamine neuronsMotor functionDorsal striatumMajor projection fieldBeam-walking testImpairs motor functionViral vector approachLewy body inclusionsMidbrain dopamine neuronsMotor coordination tasksMorris water mazeSlowness of thoughtLoss of glutamateTwo-way active avoidance taskGlutamatergic neuronsMotor abnormalitiesActive avoidance taskLox miceExcitatory inputsThalamic regionsWater mazeCognitive impairmentCell loss
2011
Attenuating GABAA Receptor Signaling in Dopamine Neurons Selectively Enhances Reward Learning and Alters Risk Preference in Mice
Parker JG, Wanat MJ, Soden ME, Ahmad K, Zweifel LS, Bamford NS, Palmiter RD. Attenuating GABAA Receptor Signaling in Dopamine Neurons Selectively Enhances Reward Learning and Alters Risk Preference in Mice. Journal Of Neuroscience 2011, 31: 17103-17112. PMID: 22114279, PMCID: PMC3235504, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1715-11.2011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDA neuronsDA neuron activityGABAA Receptor SignalingPhasic dopamine transmissionPhasic DA responsesAversive learningAppetitive learningGABAergic toneExcitatory afferentsMidbrain slicesDA releaseDopamine neuronsExcitatory driveDopamine transmissionNucleus accumbensDA responseElectrical stimulationNeuron activityDA signalingPsychiatric conditionsCompensatory upregulationMiceNeuronsReceptor signalingAppetitive taskBalanced NMDA receptor activity in dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)- and D2R-expressing medium spiny neurons is required for amphetamine sensitization
Beutler LR, Wanat MJ, Quintana A, Sanz E, Bamford NS, Zweifel LS, Palmiter RD. Balanced NMDA receptor activity in dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)- and D2R-expressing medium spiny neurons is required for amphetamine sensitization. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2011, 108: 4206-4211. PMID: 21368124, PMCID: PMC3054029, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1101424108.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDopamine D1 receptorsAMPH sensitizationNucleus accumbensBehavioral sensitizationDopamine neuronsD1 receptorsD1R neuronsVirus-mediated restorationMedium spiny neuronsNMDA receptor activityType glutamate receptorsEssential NR1 subunitNMDAR signalingSpiny neuronsAmphetamine sensitizationNeuron targetsD1R-MSNsGlutamate receptorsNMDARNR1 subunitReceptor activityBrain regionsNeuronsSensitizationAmphetamine