Topic: VMAT2

Achyrocline satureoides aqueous extract (ASAE) protective effects were evaluated on dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by reserpine in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Strain BY200 was cultured following standard procedure. The worms (L1 stage) were exposed to the treatments, ASAE (10 or 25 mg/ml) or no for 24 hours, followed by the induction of dopaminergic damage (reserpine, 60 µM, positive control; PC) or no (negative control; NC). Worm’s images (n=20) were captured using a fluorescence microscope and quantified using the ImageJ software. The locomotor behavior (body bends) of the w

Brain cognitive performances are typically thought to fully rely on neurons. Yet, recent research has shown that the other major cell type of the brain, the astrocyte, actively influence information processing. Astrocytes are indeed involved in the modulation of neuronal circuit activities underlying behavior, by regulating extracellular concentrations of ion and neurotransmitters. We have previously found that astrocytes control dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex, thereby modulating synaptic transmission and plasticity. Dopamine release can occur physically, responding to specific stimu

Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are comprised of diverse neuronal subpopulations. For instance, there are subsets of DA neurons that express the vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT2 and these cells can co-release the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. There are also several lines of evidence indicating that the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) can be released from subsets of DA neurons. However, DA neurons do neither express the machinery to synthesize GABA nor the vesicular GABA transporter VGAT typically thought to be necessary for vesicular GABA uptake. Inste

The cerebellum is classically associated with coordination and motor learning. Yet, a growing body of evidence now indicates that the cerebellum also contributes to cognitive aspects including social behavior and navigation skills. Although monoamines such as noradrenaline (NE) and dopamine (DA) are key neuromodulators implicated in these cognitive functions, the modus operandi of monoaminergic systems and their relevance to cerebellar functioning remains poorly understood. Interestingly, we found that while in this brain region monoaminergic innervations are sparse, the main vesicular transpo

The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in cognitive functions such as decision making, planning, and working memory. It is subjected to strong monoaminergic neuromodulation, particularly by dopamine from the VTA. While dopamine innervations in the prefrontal cortex are sparse, recent research indicates that the vesicular dopamine transporter VMAT2 in astrocytes contributes to dopaminergic homeostasis in the prefrontal cortex. Here we hypothesized that astrocytes could provide a shuttle mechanism through which appropriate tonic levels of dopamine would be redistributed across the prefrontal

Genomic medicine provides potential for novel diagnostic targets and therapeutic solutions. As mutations in human genes are identified and associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, the need to create personalized treatment protocol has increased. We have previously reported the first mutation in type 2 vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2), causing an infantile Parkinsonism phenotype Parkinsonism-dystonia-2 (PKDYS2) (OMIM 618049)( Rilstone et al., NEJM, 2013). Over the past decade, several additional mutations have been identified in VMAT2, giving rise to a broad phenotype spectrum and v