Brain circuit causes of tardive dyskinesia
Striatal Microcircuit Mechanisms of Tardive Dyskinesia
Researchers are looking at whether specific dopamine receptors and brain cell circuits lead to the involuntary movements seen in people who used long-term antipsychotic drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11286817 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team uses a well-established mouse model that develops tardive dyskinesia after chronic haloperidol exposure and applies genetic tools to target D2 and D3 dopamine receptors in specific brain cell types. They will measure dopamine release and record the activity of striatal neurons in freely moving animals that show involuntary movements. By comparing which receptors and cell circuits are required to cause or express these movements, the work aims to pinpoint the precise brain changes behind TD. Findings could guide future tests of treatments that prevent or reverse TD in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who developed involuntary movements after long-term use of antipsychotic (D2/D3-blocking) medications or those currently on chronic antipsychotic therapy would be most interested in these findings and any future related trials.
Not a fit: People whose movement problems have causes unrelated to antipsychotic exposure (for example, Parkinson's disease from other causes) may not benefit from findings specific to tardive dyskinesia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal precise brain targets to guide new treatments that prevent or reverse tardive dyskinesia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have implicated dopamine signaling in TD, but this project uses newer cell-type-specific genetic tools and recordings in freely moving animals to provide more precise and novel evidence.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nelson, Alexandra — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Nelson, Alexandra
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.