How excess dopamine can change thinking and perception
The Neural Basis of Dopamine-Driven Deficits in Cognition and Perception
Researchers will look at how too much dopamine alters brain circuits that control memory and how sounds are perceived to help people with conditions like schizophrenia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304567 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses tiny microscopes to watch two kinds of brain cells (called D1 and D2 spiny projection neurons) in a brain area involved in thinking and perception while dopamine levels are increased. The team turns on dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra to create a hyperdopaminergic state and records how those target cells respond. The experiments are done in mice but are designed to model cognitive and perceptual problems seen in conditions such as schizophrenia. Findings aim to reveal which circuit changes cause memory and perception problems so future therapies can target them more precisely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with schizophrenia or other disorders linked to dopamine-related cognitive or perceptual problems may be interested in following these findings as they could inform future human treatments.
Not a fit: Because this is preclinical, mouse-based research, patients will not receive direct treatment or immediate clinical benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to specific brain-circuit targets for new treatments to improve thinking and perception in dopamine-related psychiatric conditions.
How similar studies have performed: The investigators' prior animal studies have shown that activating dopamine neurons can disrupt spatial working memory and auditory perception confidence in mice, but translating these findings to human therapies remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parker, Jones G — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Parker, Jones G
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.