Researchers at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), in collaboration with McGill University in Montreal, have made a significant breakthrough in the study of psychiatric disorders and Parkinson's disease. Their study reveals a new population of neurons in the striatum, a key brain region involved in motor control and the reward circuit.
This hitherto little-studied population of neurons plays a crucial role in producing and regulating the essential neurotransmitter dopamine. Scientists have discovered that these "hybrid" neurons express two types of dopamine receptor, D1 and D2, and act as conductors for other neurons.
This discovery opens up a new perspective for understanding not only Parkinson's disease, but also disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, ADHD and drug addiction.
This breakthrough could revolutionize therapeutic approaches for these disorders, by enabling dopamine imbalances to be better targeted. The work of the ULB researchers underlines the excellence of Belgian research, and demonstrates the importance of further studies to fully exploit this discovery.
We warmly congratulate the ULB team for their remarkable contribution, which keeps Belgium at the forefront of scientific research worldwide.
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