Understanding how dopamine affects movement development in zebrafish
Functional and molecular dissection of dopaminergic signaling in spinal locomotor circuit development
This study looks at how a brain chemical called dopamine helps baby zebrafish learn to swim better, and the results could help us understand how motor skills develop in other animals, including people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10987363 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how dopamine signaling influences the development of locomotion in larval zebrafish, a model organism for studying motor skills. By using advanced techniques such as electrophysiology and functional imaging, the researchers aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms that allow immature swimming patterns to evolve into more refined movements. The findings could provide insights into the fundamental processes of motor skill development that are applicable to other vertebrates, including humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would include individuals with developmental movement disorders or conditions affecting motor skills.
Not a fit: Patients with non-developmental movement issues or those not affected by dopaminergic signaling may not receive benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of motor skill development and potentially inform treatments for movement disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding dopaminergic signaling in model organisms can lead to significant insights applicable to human motor development, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Masino, Mark a — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Masino, Mark a
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.