
Researchers discover subgroup of dopamine neurons that only respond to movement
Researchers made a significant finding concerning dopamine neurons. They discovered a hereditary subgroup of dopamine neurons that activate during movement rather than in reaction to rewards, as previously believed. This goes against the long-held idea that dopamine neurons primarily respond to rewards. This new understanding of dopamine neurons has implications for Parkinson’s disease, an illness characterized by dopamine neuron loss that impairs motor performance. The researchers discovered three genetic subtypes of dopamine neurons in mice, one of which only responds to movement and not to rewards at all. This rethinks the role of dopamine and may open up new possibilities for Parkinson’s research.
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