The Path of Most Persistence: investigating the mechanism of long-lasting motor rescue in a dopamine depletion mouse model

 Parkinson’s disease (PD) has become increasingly prevalent within the human population.  PD is a neurodegenerative brain disorder primarily impacting the basal ganglia, causing involuntary  movements and difficulties in executing desired actions. Current treatments, including drug  therapies and deep brain stimulation, lack long-term efficacy and fail to prevent the progression of  disease. Prior work from the Gittis Lab has shown promising results for persistent motor rescue  through neural-selective techniques. This thesis aims to delve into the efficacy and underlying  mechanisms of these interventions, revealing the primary source for long-lasting motor recovery to  be linked to locomotor improvements engaged in the later stages of treatment. Investigating the  circuitry between the basal ganglia and the mesencephalic locomotor region, this thesis explores the  intricate neural pathways in motor control. The following chapters discuss specific neural circuits,  the anatomy of these motor brain regions, and contributing insight for targeted approaches to  consider in translation to clinical work.