The Surprising Link Between Dopamine and Movement
Researchers have discovered a genetic subtype of dopamine neurons that fires during movement, challenging the belief that dopamine neurons primarily respond to rewards. This finding has implications for understanding Parkinson's disease, which is characterized by the loss of dopamine neurons and affects the motor system. The study identified three genetic subtypes of dopamine neurons in a mouse model, with one subtype not responding to rewards but only to movement. This new understanding of dopamine function could lead to new avenues for Parkinson's disease research.