Background pattern of a brain with neural connections

Team Mackenzie

Defining functional heterogeneity within the subthalamic area and its relevance for psychiatric and cognitive symptoms of PD

2026-Present

Anxiety, depression, apathy, and cognitive deficits are debilitating symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can be altered by deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN). This project examines STN and the adjacent parasubthalamic nucleus (pSTN) to better understand and treat these symptoms. We will link clinical data with mouse models to investigate how distinct STN and pSTN circuits impact mental health. Combining optogenetics, viral tracing, and physiological assessments, we will examine neuronal pathways and test whether selective manipulation mitigates dysfunction. The findings will help refine DBS techniques and pharmacological therapies to better address non-motor symptoms in PD patients.

Tags
Animal modelsDepressionDisease heterogeneityDisease modificationExercisein situ RNA analyticsLocus coeruleusNeurobiologyNeurodegenerationNon-motor symptomsOptogeneticsProdromal PD

Leadership

Åsa Mackenzie

Åsa Mackenzie

Lead PI (Core Leadership)

Jérôme Baufreton

Jérôme Baufreton

Co-PI (Core Leadership)

Mark Bevan

Mark Bevan

Co-PI (Core Leadership)

Nick Hollon

Nick Hollon

Co-PI (Core Leadership)

Cristina Miguelez

Cristina Miguelez

Co-PI (Core Leadership)

Andreas Heuer

Andreas Heuer

Project Manager, Data Manager

Project Highlights

Para-subthalamic nucleus adjoins subthalamic nucleus and medial forebrain bundle, major DBS-targets in Parkinsons disease, OCD, and depression

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment target for several disorders of vastly different symptoms, including Parkinsons disease (PD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The STN is located in close proximity to the superolateral branch of the medial forebrain bundle (slMFB), a recent DBS target for...

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In the News

Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s and The Michael J. Fox Foundation Expand Global Research Initiative with $261M Investment Toward Personalized Treatments

Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s and The Michael J. Fox Foundation Expand Global Research Initiative with $261M Investment Toward Personalized Treatments

04/28/2026 — Today, Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP), in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), announced $261 million in new grant funding for the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) to map the biological blueprint of Parkinson’s disease and build a standardized toolkit of global research resources that are needed to turn discoveries into treatments.

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