How different kinds of dopamine signals control movement, motivation, and learning
Roles for dopamine signaling modes in striatal circuit modulation and behavior
This project looks at how fast dopamine bursts versus steady dopamine levels in the brain change movement, motivation, and learning to help people with Parkinson’s disease and addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306693 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use genetically modified mice and short-term brain manipulations to stop rapid, action-potential-driven dopamine release and then observe how animals move, make choices, and respond to rewards. They combine these manipulations with behavioral tests that measure movement initiation, motivation for rewards, and learning from prediction errors. Early results show that basic movement start is preserved without rapid dopamine bursts, while motivation and reward-based learning are impaired. The goal is to separate dopamine actions that require neuron firing from permissive release mechanisms and link those findings to conditions like Parkinson’s disease and addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Parkinson’s disease, those with disorders of motivation or reward such as addiction, or patients interested in future dopamine-targeted therapies are the most likely to benefit or be relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose problems stem from structural brain injury or conditions that do not involve dopamine signaling may not see direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to restore the right kind of dopamine signaling and improve movement, motivation, and learning in disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Animal research has previously distinguished fast (phasic) and slow (tonic) dopamine effects on behavior, but applying those findings to improved treatments for patients remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaeser, Pascal Simon — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Kaeser, Pascal Simon
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.