Rajeshwar B. Awatramani

Coordinated spatial organization of basal ganglia structures revealed by dopamine subtype projectome mapping

The paper maps dopamine subtype projections in the basal ganglia to reveal spatially distinct domains and their correlation with striatal neuron subclasses and cortical inputs.

Astrocytes mediate the dopaminergic modulation of tonic GABAergic signaling in substantia nigra

The paper investigates how dopamine modulates tonic GABAergic signaling in the substantia nigra via astrocytic and dopaminergic neuron interactions.

Calbindin Stratifies Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Governing Distinct Aspects of Locomotion

This study identifies distinct roles of calbindin-expressing and non-expressing midbrain dopaminergic neurons in locomotion and motor learning through genetic ablation and chemogenetic approaches.

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 impairs the release sites of Parkinson's disease vulnerable dopamine axons

This study identifies LRRK2's role in impairing dopamine axon release sites in Parkinson's disease, leading to reduced dopamine release and synaptic dysfunction.

Genetic Identification of Dopamine Neurons Required for Circadian Food Anticipatory Activity in Mice

The paper identifies a specific dopamine neuron population in mice required for anticipatory locomotion during food anticipation, showing genetic dissociation of behavioral components.

A human developmental and adult brain atlas benchmarks dopaminergic stem cell models and cell therapy candidates

The paper benchmarks dopaminergic stem cell models and cell therapy candidates using a human brain atlas to identify off-target populations and lineage plasticity.

Parkinson's disease-vulnerable and -resilient dopamine neurons display opposite responses to excitatory input

The paper identifies Anxa1 as a marker for PD-vulnerable dopamine neurons and shows they respond oppositely to excitatory inputs compared to resilient Vglut2+ neurons.

Molecular and spatial transcriptomic classification of midbrain dopamine neurons and their alterations in a LRRK2G2019S model of Parkinson's disease

The paper identifies molecular subtypes of midbrain dopamine neurons, maps their spatial distribution, and shows transcriptional changes in a Parkinson's disease model.

Sexually dimorphic mechanisms of VGLUT-mediated protection from dopaminergic neurodegeneration

This study identifies VGLUT-mediated mechanisms protecting DA neurons from PD-related degeneration, revealing sex-specific effects and transcriptional regulators.

Unique functional responses differentially map onto genetic subtypes of dopamine neurons

The paper identifies three genetic dopamine subtypes in the substantia nigra pars compacta, each with distinct functional responses to rewards, aversive stimuli, and movement, showing strong correlation between soma and axon signaling within subtypes.

JUN Regulation of Injury-induced Enhancers in Schwann Cells

This study investigates whether injury-induced enhancers in Schwann cells are pre-programmed or activated de novo, and identifies JUN's role in regulating these enhancers to drive repair gene expression.

Dopaminergic axons track somatic signaling in behaving mice

The paper shows that somatic and axonal signaling in dopamine neurons of behaving mice are correlated, challenging previous assumptions about axonal autonomy.

Npas1+-Nkx2.1+ Neurons Form A Unique Pallidal Neuron Subclass

The paper identifies Npas1+-Nkx2.1+ neurons as a distinct subclass of GPe neurons and describes their role in the cortico-pallido-cortical loop.

Substantia nigra dopamine neurons evoke a delayed excitation in lateral dorsal striatal cholinergic interneurons via glutamate cotransmission

The paper shows that SN dopamine neurons use different receptors in different dStr subregions to send distinct signals to cholinergic interneurons and spiny projection neurons.