According to research published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, disorders of a specific group of neurons may lead to mental health issues such as addiction, autism, and schizophrenia.
As reported from Brussels, in a collaborative project with a team of scientists from the Douglas Institute at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, Belgian researchers from the Neurophy Laboratory at the Free University of Brussels (ULB) have identified a new group of neurons that were previously less understood, which play a crucial role in controlling brain movement and the functioning of the striatum.
The striatum is an internal part of the brain primarily responsible for regulating movement, motivation, and impulses, making it a critical area for decision-making and also playing an important role in addiction cases.
The new group of neurons plays a role in controlling brain movement and the functioning of the striatum. (Photo illustration: AFP).
According to the authors of the study published in Nature Neuroscience, the dysfunction of this neuron group may lead to mental disorders such as addiction, autism, schizophrenia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and may affect the sequelae of Parkinson’s disease.
In this discovery, dopamine plays a central role. This neurotransmitter is essential in the human brain and is crucial for movement control.
A deficiency of this neurotransmitter—such as in the case of Parkinson’s disease—results in profound changes in motor control, while conversely, an excess of dopamine caused by certain drugs can lead to dependency.
Scientists explain that these special neurons (dopaminergic neurons) primarily affect two groups of neurons in the striatum, with each group expressing a specific type of dopamine receptor: D1 receptors activate neurons, while D2 receptors inhibit them.
These two groups form two distinct pathways, which are predicted to either promote or inhibit movement, while also working in coordination with each other.
However, it is noteworthy that there is a third, less common group of neurons that possesses both types of d dopamine receptors (D1 and D2). The function and role of this group were previously unknown but have now been clarified by the researchers.
In the study published in Nature Neuroscience, the Belgian and Canadian research teams used advanced genetic tools in mice to specifically target this third neuron group and gain a better understanding of their functions and roles in the physiology of the striatum and motor control.
This minority group exhibits unique cellular characteristics in responding to dopamine and creates a new essential pathway for maintaining the balance of striatum activity, ensuring motor control under normal physiological conditions and inhibiting excessive activity induced by psychostimulants.
According to the study authors, these results shed light on a newly identified key player in the physiology and functional organization of the striatum. Its dysfunction may pose an unknown latent risk for various mental disorders related to striatum alterations (addiction, autism, schizophrenia, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder…), and could also significantly impact the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This suggests that this discovery may open up promising new treatment avenues.
This finding could have a significant impact on understanding and treating mental and motor disorders. A better understanding of the role of this new neuron group may lead to new or improved treatment methods for disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, addiction, autism, and ADHD.
Moreover, this research may help us gain a deeper understanding of how the brain functions and how it regulates human behavior.
This represents an important advancement in neuroscience research and has the potential to lead to significant improvements in the lives of individuals suffering from these disorders.
