Devon Borg

The synaptic protein α-Synuclein (αSyn) plays a key role in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, but its impact on dopamine-producing neurons in the brain is not fully understood. Notably, dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) are more vulnerable to damage compared to those in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), though the reasons for this difference remain unclear. Understanding how αSyn overproduction differentially affects these regions is important for developing targeted treatments. My project focuses on understanding how αSyn affects dopamine transmission and neuronal viability in these different regions. We hypothesize αSyn overexpression reduces dopamine synthesis in the SNc prior to its reduction in the VTA. To explore this, we utilized two animal models that overproduce αSyn in SNc and VTA. I will perform immunolabeling to measure αSyn and tyrosine hydroxylase expression to assess the health of dopamine-producing neurons in these regions. With our study, we aim to deepen the understanding of how αSyn affects different brain regions in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, providing insights that could guide future treatments.