Mechanisms of disease modification by early deep brain stimulation in a progressive rodent model of Parkinson's disease ‘Earlystim-Rat’ (A01)

• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology ; Molecular and Cellular Neurology and Neuropathology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 424778381

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) modulates dysfunctional neuronal activity in central motor networks. However, it is uncertain whether chronic DBS has a disease-modifying effect on the progressive course of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we will first characterize the “natural” disease course in a viral vector-driven, A53T mutant, α-synuclein-overexpression PD rat model by longitudinal assessment of clinical symptoms and disease biomarkers, and later intervene with either DBS or pharmacotherapy at different disease stages. We want to provide preclinical evidence for disease modification, identify the underlying mechanisms, and provide a rationale for a future clinical neuroprotection trial in patients.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 295: Retuning dynamic motor network disorders using neuromodulation
• Applicant Institution: shared FU Berlin and HU Berlin through:; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Cordula Matthies; Professor Dr. Jens Volkmann