Dopaminergic News and Research

RSS

Review links betel nut addiction to cancer, heart disease, and metabolic risks

This review examines the epidemiology, health risks, neurobiological mechanisms, and emerging treatments related to betel nut addiction worldwide. It highlights strong links with oral cancer, cardiometabolic disease, and addiction pathways while noting limited established therapies and the need for coordinated public health strategies.

11 Feb 2026

Regulating microglial phagocytosis through immunotherapy could slow Parkinson's disease progression

By analyzing tissue from patients with Parkinson's disease, and animal and cellular models of the disease, a research team from the Institut de Neurociències of the UAB has shown that the main immune cells of the brain become reactive and overexpress certain receptors that promote the elimination of dopaminergic neurons, even when these neurons are still functional.

2 Feb 2026

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs show early promise for treating addiction

This systematic review evaluates preclinical and clinical evidence on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists as potential treatments for substance use disorders. Findings show consistent reductions in drug- and alcohol-seeking behaviors in animal models, while human evidence remains limited, heterogeneous, and preliminary.

21 Jan 2026

Parkinson’s disease may stem from iron starvation rather than iron overload

This perspective argues that Parkinson’s disease may involve functional iron deficiency, where bioavailable iron is limited despite normal or elevated total iron in the brain. The authors propose that iron sequestration, not iron toxicity alone, may impair dopamine synthesis and neuronal survival.

6 Jan 2026

TAAR1 mutation impairs brain signaling in schizophrenia

A genetic mutation passed from mother to children in families affected by schizophrenia has now been shown to completely silence a brain receptor that pharmaceutical companies are racing to target with new drugs.

6 Jan 2026

Integrated neural probes reveal dopaminergic control of sleep-wake transitions

Understanding the dynamic neural mechanisms of sleep-wake cycles is a major challenge in sleep science and neuroengineering.

6 Jan 2026

Unlocking sleep-wake secrets with dual brain signal analysis

Understanding the dynamic neural mechanisms of sleep-wake cycles is a major challenge in sleep science and neuroengineering.

22 Dec 2025

Cutting carbs, not fat, may better control appetite in women

Research indicates low-carb diets may enhance appetite regulation and reduce food cues in women with lipedema, offering a dietary intervention advantage.

19 Dec 2025

Neuron structure variations impact sensory information processing in mice

Closely related subtypes of dopamine-releasing neurons may play entirely separate roles in processing sensory information, depending on their physical structure.

16 Dec 2025

Combining stem cell therapy and BDNF enhancement to manage Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related, progressive, neurodegenerative condition, caused by loss of dopamine-producing neurons.

16 Dec 2025

Tau biology expands beyond microtubules to neurodegeneration, metabolism and mental illness

An Thought Leaders Invited Review published today in Genomic Psychiatry by Dr. Peng Lei and colleagues presents a sweeping synthesis of tau protein research that fundamentally reframes our understanding of this molecule's dual identity.

16 Dec 2025

Driving simulator exposes early Parkinson’s impairments that routine tests fail to detect

A high-fidelity driving simulator detected subtle visuospatial, attentional, and reaction time impairments in people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease, even when standard cognitive tests appeared normal. The study shows that simulator-based assessments can uncover real-world driving difficulties linked to disease severity that traditional screening tools often miss.

10 Dec 2025

Smartphone motor tests can predict dopamine deficiency in Parkinson’s disease without brain scans

Researchers explore the use of smartphones coupled with clinical scores to evaluate motor function and predict dopamine deficiency.

7 Dec 2025

Researchers highlight five pathways through which microplastics can harm the brain

Microplastics could be fueling neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, with a new study highlighting five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain.

5 Dec 2025

Restless legs syndrome linked to higher Parkinson’s disease risk

The study shows restless legs syndrome is associated with higher Parkinson's disease incidence, raising questions about treatment impacts on symptoms.

5 Dec 2025

Untreated restless legs syndrome may increase Parkinson's disease risk

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological sleep disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often worsening at night.

2 Dec 2025

Maternal exposure to fatty food aromas predisposes offspring to obesity

A research team at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research has found that the smell of fatty foods during pregnancy increases the risk of overweight and obesity in children.

1 Dec 2025

Acute and chronic depression involve different mechanisms in the brain

A new study investigating neuroinflammation in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain, a small, midbrain dopaminergic region, has found that acute and chronic depression are associated with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.

18 Nov 2025

Loud noise exposure worsens motor deficits in Parkinson’s disease model

In the development of Parkinson's disease, it may not be a good idea to turn the amp to 11. High-volume noise exposure produced motor deficits in a mouse model of early-stage Parkinson's disease, and established a link between the auditory processing and movement areas of the brain, according to a study published November 4th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Pei Zhang from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, and colleagues.

4 Nov 2025

Scientists create detailed single-cell map of the developing human brain

Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and their collaborators have created one of the most comprehensive single cell maps of the developing human brain. The atlas captures nearly every cell type, their genetic fingerprints, and how they grow and interact.

3 Nov 2025