Name Ewoud R. E. Schmidt
Department Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Section Neurodevelopment
Function PhD-student
E-mail:
e.r.e.schmidt@umcutrecht.nltel: +31-88 75 68828
Supervisor Dr. R.J. Pasterkamp
Title research
Making up your mind: the molecular basis of dopaminergic neuronal network formation
Summary research Control of cognitive and motor behavior is regulated, in part, by dopaminergic neurons located in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain. Neurons in the SNc and VTA give rise to topographically distributed axonal projections to the forebrain that are affected differentially in different neural disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, depression and addiction. A unifying feature of these disorders are changes in mdDA neurons and/or their connections.
In general, the formation of neuronal connections depends on an ordered series of axon guidance decisions during development. These decisions are mediated by so-called axon guidance proteins (AGPs). Remarkably, AGPs and their receptors have been implicated as causal and/or vulnerability genes for various neural disorders, including disorders mentioned above. Unfortunately, little is known about the AGPs that shape mdDA connections. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify AGPs and receptors involved in the formation of SNc and VTA projections. Identification of these molecular cues is crucial for a better understanding of situations of perturbed connectivity in the mdDA system and may aid the development of effective therapeutics.
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