Social context-dependent singing alters molecular markers of synaptic plasticity signaling in finch basal ganglia Area X.

Vocal communication is a crucial skill required throughout life. However, there is a critical gap in our understanding of the underlying molecular brain mechanisms, thereby motivating our use of the zebra finch songbird model. Adult male zebra finches show differences in neural activity patterns in song-dedicated brain nuclei when they sing in two distinct social contexts: a male singing by himself (undirected, UD) and a male singing to a female (female-directed, FD).

Highly-selective µ-opioid receptor antagonism does not block L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in a rodent model.

Objectives: Dopamine-replacement utilizing L-DOPA is still the mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), but often leads to development of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), which can be as debilitating as the motor deficits. There is currently no satisfactory pharmacological adjunct therapy. The endogenous opioid peptides enkephalin and dynorphin are important co-transmitters in the direct and indirect striatofugal pathways and have been implicated in genesis and expression of LID.

Social context-dependent singing alters molecular markers of dopaminergic and glutamatergic signaling in finch basal ganglia Area X.

Dopamine (DA) is an important neuromodulator of motor control across species. In zebra finches, DA levels vary in song nucleus Area X depending upon social context. DA levels are high and song output is less variable when a male finch sings to a female (female directed, FD) compared to when he is singing by himself (undirected, UD).

Differential effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on dopamine receptor D1- and D2-induced abnormal involuntary movements in a preclinical model.

Dopamine-replacement therapy with l-DOPA is still the gold standard treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). One drawback is the common development of l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) in patients, which can be as disabling as the disease itself. There is no satisfactory adjunct therapy available.