Understanding how dopamine affects movement and behavior
Official title: Roles for dopamine signaling modes in striatal circuit modulation and behavior
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11097252 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how dopamine affects movement, learning, and motivation, especially for people dealing with drug addiction or Parkinson's disease, by using mice to see how changes in dopamine can influence how they move and make choices.
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 start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $662,820 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058777-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097252 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by Parkinson's disease or those struggling with drug addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to dopamine signaling or those not experiencing movement or behavioral issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the different ways dopamine influences movement, learning, and motivation, particularly in the context of drug addiction and Parkinson's disease. By examining how dopamine signaling operates through various modes, the study aims to clarify the mechanisms behind behavioral control. Using specially designed mouse models, researchers will manipulate dopamine release to observe its effects on movement initiation and decision-making. The goal is to uncover how distinct dopamine signaling modes contribute to both immediate and long-term behavioral outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for conditions like Parkinson's disease and drug addiction by enhancing our understanding of dopamine's role in behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding dopamine's role in behavior, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaeser, Pascal Simon — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Kaeser, Pascal Simon
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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.